Local Walks

We surveyed the neighborhood on foot and spent lots of time studying Google Maps to identify greenspaces in the neighborhood that could be explored.  We identified five small parks that we use as meeting places to start neighborhood walks.  We have found it important to have walks scheduled on a routine basis so that people can note them on their calendars. We also needed to recruit BHV members to be walk leaders.  The role of a walk leader is to  experiment with the length and pace of walks, so that walks will appeal to slower and faster walkers and be interesting routes.  In general the walks are around two miles, often with a resting spot in the middle. To make walks safe we have tried to locate walks that can be done on sidewalks. Occasionally walks are done outside of the neighborhood and require a short drive to the starting point and then back home.  Every walk is memorialized with a cheer and photo.  Occasionally after a walk we go to someone’s home for coffee—this helps to cement the friendships.

Exercise in the Neighborhood

A BHV member was recently certified to teach Asahi, an exercise program from Finland. It is a versatile exercise program suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Asahi is known for its holistic approach, incorporating gentle movements synchronized with slow breathing. It is appropriate for an athlete seeking post-workout recovery or an individual looking for stress relief. Asahi adapts to each person’s unique needs, whether they are a fitness enthusiast or someone seeking a gentle exercise to improve their well-being. 

One-hour long sessions were offered in a neighbor’s gorgeous backyard twice a month on Saturday mornings.  Surprisingly almost all Saturday’s during the winter the weather cooperated, though participants would sometimes wear winter jackets.  Usually there were between 5 and 10 participants.  A challenge to recruiting people to try the class was making them familiar with something they had never heard of—so they would be willing to try it.  Most people who sampled the class stuck with it as they found it a relaxing exercise routine. 

If you don’t have someone who could teach this particular class it is likely that you can find someone to teach tai chi, or a small weights class or a modified yoga class. Conducting these classes outdoors connected participants with nature and has provided an opportunity to see the changing seasons. At the end of each class there was usually time for people to stay and chat about what they were planning for the rest of the day.