Top Tips for becoming Active

• Why not get off the bus a stop earlier.
• Turn up the music and dance around the living room, and don't forget to sing.It's also good for your lungs and makes you feel good.
• Try to leave the car at home- log on to Walkit.com to see the distance between two points- it's easier than you think!
• Why not go for a bike ride? Cycling for 20 minutes can burn around 124 calories that's more than a 2 finger Kitkat!
• Try and go for a walk on your lunch break.
• How about taking the children or grandchildren to the park?
• Could taking the stairs give you an extra lift?
• Watch a comedy movie: it is great to laugh!

      Laughing makes your stomach muscles tighten, your heart beats faster and more calories get burnt

Tips taken from Get Up & Go! ( Active Lifestyle ) Physical Activity Guide 2011.

Friday Cycle Training

It was really fun last friday at the park with all the ladies. I am really impressed with myself because my children and I cycled from home to the park which is about 5 km or so. At first I was a bit scared because I felt it was going to be a hard task taking on the big motorway with all that traffic but they convinced me that I can do it.
In the end they persuaded me to go with them. On the way to the park, we saw our Trainer who was impressed and I felt that I have finally conquered my fear of cycling on the congested streets.
The lesson I learned is that if you can think it you can do it and sometimes we create all the excuses in the world because deep down we fear how great we are within.
And Iyanla Vanzant, the African American motivatinal speaker, writer and Orator says it best,"When we give in to our fears and avoid taking chances, it is unlikely we will ever overcome the very things we fear"
And A Big Thank you children for your support, encouragement and your confidence in me.

Healthier Life 4 You Volunteer Testimony

Holland Park Health Walks

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/pdf/walking_opportunities.pdf

African Dance session

Today's seesion was amazing! We learned some new dance moves and the music was heavenly. It is wonderful to be able to dance to the rhythm, because African dance movements are challenging if you don't focus and listen to the way the music goes and the beat.
As usual the Tutor was fantastic allowing us to move with our own pace and rhythm.

The dance group were all engaged and eager to learn and it is wonderful to see that even though it's an all ability class, we all connect to the music and Tutor very well and there was laughter,joy and harmony within us and we finished with a sense of elation and fulfilment.

African Music

Kenyan Music: Wyre & JB Maina

(mwanake) "young man"

It was great at the African dance last Monday.Our Tutor took us through the steps in an easy comfortable manner so that whatever level you are ( whether a beginner, experienced etc) you can do the moves.
She also relates to us, praising us all the time making us feel we all belong making it easier to connect and communicate with her and with each other in the group.
I think if you can spare an hour of your time a week to just dance at home if you cannot attend the session, it will uplift your spirit and it's a simple good exercise. You don't have to be a dance expert or anything like that.
I look forward to the next dance session which Wednesday at the Portobello Fitness Centre at 10.30am

Cycling in the Park

We had our first group training with our wonderful trainer going round part of the park as a group.
It was awkward at the beginning trying to familiarise ourselves with how to be comfortable on the bike while at the same time doing the signals with our hands. This is one of the most important part of the training because signalling is an indication to other road users that you are a careful and responsible rider and you respect other road users because you are signposting not just cycling for the sake of it and going in any direction like a headless chicken.

African Dance

The weekly African dance session today with the group was energetic and fast paced. The tutor made sure the participants had a good work out.

We in the group find that the more you get into the spirit of the dance, the more the music takes you on a journey.
This is one of the main reasons why dance is good for the mind, body and spirit. You just feel elevated.
You feel as if you can take on the world and run free.

Over the past months that the participants had been doing the dance sessions, they had come to associate it as part of their 'A must do' activity with joy and harmony. The smile on everyone's face during and after each sessions tells all the story.
We just feel wonderful and grateful to be alive and well.
Keep up the good work everyone.

Cycling with Friends in July

It was great today cycling with friends and connecting but also sharing ideas about health and wellbeing and being in control of your health.
We also went picking berries to connect with nature and give thanks to the abundance that is in nature and give thanks.
Although it was raining at the beginning of the cycling session, we carried on regardless, just focussing on being free and healthy and enjoying the day.
Our Trainer was very supportive as always and kept motivating and encouraging the new comers in the group.
This is what life is all about. Loving and enjoying what you do and going with the flow.