Heywood Hospital offers fall health and wellness classes

GARDNER, Mass. - Aug. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Gardner, MA – Following up on the popularity of this spring’s offerings, Heywood Hospital will host health and wellness classes again this fall.

Certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor Stephanie Simon will lead a six-week session for all levels of fitness.  Pilates is a body conditioning routine that seeks to build flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination without adding muscle bulk.  In addition, Pilates increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body’s “core” or “powerhouse” (torso).  Pilates improves your mental and physical well-being, increases flexibility, and strengthens muscles. The Pilates class is offered Tuesdays from 5:30 – 6:30 pm starting on September 17th. The cost to attend all six sessions is $50. A mat is required for this class.

Instructor Mike Kressy, who has been studying practicing Tai Chi Chi Kung for over 20 years, will lead a nine-week program starting on September 25th. Tai Chi introduces the art of nurturing the flow of life-giving, healing chi energy throughout the body using a series of carefully designed Chi Kung movements known as The Brocade of Eight. Because these gentle, easy-to-learn exercises involve body, mind and spirit, Chi Kung is remarkably effective in improving general health. The first night is an introductory class, and is free to attend. The cost for the remaining eight sessions is $80. Classes run weekly from 6 – 7:30 pm.

Paula MaGee, a certified instructor with YogaFit and AFAA Personal Trainer has created a six-week program is designed to “de-stress” and release tension with gentle yoga moves. Yoga sessions begin on Thursday, September 19th and run from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. The cost to attend all six sessions is $50.  A mat is required for this class.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring water and a towel for all exercise classes. Mats are required for Pilates and yoga.  These classes are for all levels of fitness. All classes are located in the Favor 2 solarium at Heywood Hospital.

Registration is required for all programs.  Drop-ins are welcome at all classes for a fee of $10 per class. For more information and to register, please call Community Relations at (978) 630-6248.

###

About Heywood Healthcare
Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system located in the North Central region of Massachusetts. It is comprised of Heywood Hospital, a non-profit, 153-bed acute-care hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25-bed not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; Heywood Medical Group with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region; and four satellite facilities -Winchendon Health Center and Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon, West River Health Center in Orange and Heywood Rehabilitation Center in Gardner.

About Heywood Hospital
Part of the Heywood Healthcare system, Heywood Hospital is a 153-bed acute care hospital in Gardner, MA, which provides a broad range of high quality medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and behavioral health services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The hospital’s Centers of Excellence include the Watkins Center for Emergency and Acute Care; the LaChance Maternity Center; the Diabetes Center; and the Heywood Heart Center, an affiliate of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health Care.