Parks, Recreation and Culture Winter 2025 Activity Guide

Register online at recreation.nanaimo.ca General Inquiries 250-756-5200 54 Reduce Stress & Pain With the Alexander Technique This technique is an embodied approach to increase body awareness and to reduce stress, tension and pain. Learn strategies to change habitual posture and movement that will result in upright poise, effortless movement, better energy, improved well-being and ease in body and mind! Please bring 3 to 4 paper back books to class and wear comfortable clothes. Instructor: Heike Walker Mon, Jan 20 | 3:30-5:30 pm | $25/1 | 132417 Bowen Park Complex People Living with Parkinson’s Using the Alexander Technique Gain better coping skills with postural challenges and day-to-day living if you are suffering from Parkinson’s. Increased body awareness assists in gaining more balance and a better sense of the body. Changing postural habits allows for better gait, more uprightness and more flexibility. This technique assists in enhancing muscle tone for less rigidity, less tremors and more fluidity in movement. Care partners are welcome in this class (also need to pay the fee.) Please bring a few paperback books to class and a yoga mat. If you have any questions, please contact the instructor, HeikeWalker at 778-245-1750 or heike@balanceartsstudio.com. Instructor: Heike Walker Mon, Mar 10 | 3:30-5 pm | $20/1 | 132418 Bowen Park Complex Movement Habits Exploring the Alexander Technique Improve posture, reduce stress, change habits and expand your awareness. This is a hands-on class where we explore the body’s naturally efficient design for movement and understand how we interfere with it through ingrained habits. We will use practical experiments to learn how to notice tightening, release muscle tension, re-establish better balance and move with ease. Instructors will use visual, verbal and kinaesthetic (hands-on) cues to teach better movement. Participants should be able to do gentle movements of walking, sitting and lying on a mat. Instructor: Heather Walker Mon, Feb 24-Mar 24 | 3:30-5 pm | $100/5 | 132384 Bowen Park Complex Yogalates D This class is a cross between yoga and pilates for a total body workout focused on toning the glutes, thighs and stomach. Develop your core strength and stabilization through pilates poses, and improve your flexibility, muscular strength, posture and alignment through poses, breathing and relaxation. Please bring your own yoga mat. Drop-in is available for morning class only. Instructor: Gypsy Hart Wed, Jan 8-Feb 12 | 9-10 am | $48/6 | 132803 Thu, Jan 9-Feb 13 | 5:15-6:15 pm | $48/6 | 132804 Wed, Feb 19-Mar 26 | 9-10 am | $48/6 | 132807 Thu, Feb 20-Mar 27 | 5:15-6:15 pm | $48/6 | 132808 Oliver Woods Community Centre Aqua Yoga NEW! 18 Years + Increase strength, balance and flexibility with the mindful practice of yoga in the water. This class includes some cardio and will finish with savasana in either the hot tub or sauna. Pre- registration is required. Sat, Jan 11-Feb 15 | 8-9 am | $37/6 | 133540 Beban Park Pool Minds in Motion Alzheimer Society Fitness & Social Program This is a fitness and social program for people experiencing early stage memory loss. Clients must register and attend with a friend, family member or caregiver. A certified fitness instructor will lead a fitness portion of the class; an Alzheimer Society facilitator supports the social time for the program. One fee for both participants. Instructor: Jean Medley Thu, Jan 9-Feb 13 | 10-11:30 am | $48/6 | 131584 Thu, Jan 9-Feb 13 | 1-2:30 pm | $48/6 | 131596 Thu, Feb 27-Apr 3 | 10-11:30 am | $48/6 | 131585 Thu, Feb 27-Apr 3 | 1-2:30 pm | $48/6 | 131597 Beban Park Social Centre Men’s Yoga Men, here is a yoga program only for you. Yoga will improve your flexibility, core strength and balance. Yoga will help you improve your athletic performance, relieve pain and soreness from physical labour and reduce stress. Yoga has become a mainstream activity with proven benefits to overall health and well-being. No experience is required. Instructor: Gypsy Hart Tue, Jan 7-Feb 11 | 5:15-6:15 pm | $48/6 | 132802 Tue, Feb 18-Mar 25 | 5:15-6:15 pm | $48/6 | 132811 Oliver Woods Community Centre Pilates - All Levels This is a mixed levels mat class designed to strengthen your core, improve balance and posture. We will elongate our muscles and enhance our mind/body connection. Pilates is beneficial for all of our activities. Instructor: Jane Bockman Tue, Jan 7-Feb 11 | 6:30-7:30 pm | $48/6 | 132512 Tue, Feb 18-Mar 25 | 6:30-7:30 pm | $48/6 | 132518 Oliver Woods Community Centre Mat Pilates - Level 1 D In this class we will focus on Pilates breath work, alignment of our spine, quality of movement and core support. These series of exercises will help you move with ease in your daily life. Instructor: Jane Bockman Fri, Jan 10-Feb 14 | 10:15-11:15 am | $48/6 | 132511 Fri, Feb 21-Mar 28 | 10:15-11:15 am | $48/6 | 132522 Oliver Woods Community Centre