As the staff at the Life Enrichment Center began planning September’s 10th annual walk, much thought went into opportunities to inspire center members and the community at large to take advantage of the fitness programs we offer on a daily basis. Within the walls of our center lies a wealth of well-trained, educated and committed instructors that thoughtfully prepare classes to benefit individuals of every fitness level.
Programs range from chair exercises that are fun and inspire movement to advanced strength training that has proven to keep even our eldest members on their feet. Our fitness classes provide great workouts for the mind as well as the body. Why exercise? Because science has proved that exercise provides benefits to the brain as well as the body. Tai Chi classes, both beginner and advanced, help tone your muscles and brain wellness by relaxing the mind. Two styles of yoga are offered; both improve flexibility and balance while teaching breathing techniques that improve heart-rate and brain function. Music mixed with movement is on the top of our brain and physical fitness charts; even just tapping your toes or moving your arms to the rhythm is beneficial. Aerobics, dancercise, tap, ballet, line dancing and even ballroom dancing challenge the brain to keep up with the rhythm of the music for the very best in brain fitness, while toning your muscles and most importantly having fun.
Meet a few of our instructors at this year’s annual walk on Sept. 19. The walk features a perfect fitness level for every individual, and a heart and brain healthy brunch:
• Take a Power Walk with Terri Aquilino, our aerobics and dance instructor. Terri is a life-long resident of Oyster Bay and walks daily, rain or shine. She is best known as the former head-mistress and dance instructor at Miss Terri’s School of Dance. She leads a low-impact jazzy aerobics class on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as tap and ballet on Wednesday and Friday. Terri and her tap students, “Terri’s Tappers,” donate their time to perform at many events at the center as well as other venues.
• Judi Pullman will lead a Cardio Interval Walk through the rolling hills of Oyster Bay for high fitness walkers. Judi, a resident of Oyster Bay and the center’s strength training instructor, is best known for her “no nonsense but always a laugh” Tuesday and Thursday morning muscle building workouts. Strength training has been recommended by rheumatologists for joint health and overall flexibility and Judi ensures that each of her students reaps the benefit of her personalized work outs.
• Keeping in mind that many of us need to get back in shape after an injury, surgery or just too many days off, Carol Rodriquez will lead the “Ease Back Into Shape” group. Carol, who lives in Bayville, teaches chair exercise on Thursday mornings and Dancercise on Thursday evenings and focuses on encouraging a positive attitude, having fun and being safe. Carol’s personal history of overcoming the challenges of knee replacements, arthritis, and other injuries is an inspiration to us all that, as Carol says, “You can do it!”
• And for those of you who are looking forward to a leisurely walk, our Program Coordinator Mary Frignani will be your guide for a stroll to the beach and back. Mary also leads a walking group on Wednesday mornings throughout the year.
• Spencer Gee, our Tai Chi instructor, will be on hand to offer a warm-up and a demonstration class for those who prefer indoor activity while waiting for our raffle drawing and heart and brain healthy brunch. Spencer is a Tai Chi Master as well as an award winning ballroom dance competitor. Spencer’s Tai Chi classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays offer targeted movement, mixed with disciplined form which makes a perfect work-out for every level of fitness.
Meet the center’s other instructors:
Tara Lester has been teaching Pilates for our evening program since 2011. She is a certified Pilates instructor with the Physical Mind Institute and has been teaching since 2009. Originally born in Brooklyn, Tara has lived on Long Island for 35 years. Her class, which is held every Wednesday evening, includes precise movements that flow from your core to shape and sculpt your body.
Patricia Orshan’s Integrative Yoga classes on Tuesday evenings are a joyful exploration of yoga’s beneficial influences on the body and the mind. In addition to teaching at the Life Enrichment Center, Patricia works with special populations including cancer and traumatic brain injury patients. Her therapeutic yoga class provides relief of physical, emotional and mental stress through breathing techniques, meditation, gentle yoga poses and positive psychology. No experience is necessary.
Kathy Pagano leads a team of “happy and healthy” male and female Line Dancing students on Tuesday afternoons. Kathy describes her class as “a little bit country and a little bit ballroom”; besides the traditional line dancing moves, she incorporates ballroom dances such as Cha Cha, Rumba, Waltz, Salsa, Fox Trot… just to name a few. Her students dance to popular music as well as “oldies but goodies” and have enjoyed performing at many of the center’s events. The best part of line-dancing is no one needs a partner. It is a great way to stay fit, exercise the brain, and have fun!
Amy Singh has taught our Monday morning yoga class for the past six years. Amy’s yoga classes are always all-inclusive and for every body! She encourages her students to listen to their bodies, leave behind all judgments, expectations, and competitions to enjoy the time and space for movement and breath. Classes are great for anyone looking to reduce stress, increase flexibility and strength, build a sense of well-being and enjoy being a part of a community.
Vladimir Velev is an exceptional ballroom instructor who has danced professionally in International Ballroom Dance competitions across the country. Originally from Russia, the Manhattan resident began dancing as a child at the encouragement of his mother. His skill as a ballroom dancer adds class to the Center and brings joy to his students. Perfect for beginners and intermediate, the class is held on Friday afternoons … no partner necessary.
Mary Lou Wojcicki-Haas teaches yoga on Wednesday mornings and Gentle Flow Yoga on Tuesday evenings. Mary Lou is a Registered Yoga Alliance 500 hour teacher and is Senior Fitness Certified. It’s her passion to help individuals discover and uncover their potential in balancing themselves in body, mind and spirit. Mary Lou encourages her students to incorporate yoga into their daily lives through self-awareness. She believes that a calm state of mind is the essence of yoga. Mary Lou’s goal is to share these gifts with others for their highest good.
No excuses for not taking a step towards fitness this fall. Start with this year’s Wellness Walk. Bring comfortable shoes and a good appetite and we’ll see you there rain or shine. (Please note: In the event of rain on the day of the walk, fitness activities will be held indoors.) For information regarding the Wellness Walk or a full schedule of fitness classes, call 516-922-1770 or visit www.lifeenrichmentcenteroysterbay.org.
Silvana LaFerlita Gullo is the Executive Director, Life Enrichment Center At Oyster Bay.
