Tap dancing is a fun style of dance that anyone can learn, regardless of previous dance experience. Tap dancing is beneficial in many ways. Benefits of tap dance include increasing cardiovascular conditioning, strength, flexibility and coordination. Tap builds strength in the legs and feet in addition to increasing flexibility in the hips, knees and ankles. Cognitive abilities are also enhanced, as tap dancers must develop both mental and muscle memory to become proficient at tapping.
Tap dancing also develops a great sense of rhythm and timing. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music, using the sound of one’s tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. Tap instructors help students focus on music awareness while incorporating tap steps and combinations. Best of all, tap dance is a solo dance style… you don’t need a partner to do it, although that’s fun, too.
A chance to meet new friends, stay fit and have fun in a challenging way!
Tap shoes recommended but not essential. For more information, please contact class instructor Linda Tither on 01925 226528.
Date & Time: Wednesday 9.30am - 11.00am
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: FREE
Fresh Start is a FREE 10 week diet and exercise programme to help you get healthy and lose weight. Sessions last 1 ½ hours and include education, gentle exercise and cooking demonstrations. Dietitians are available to offer specialist support to those that need it. The course is open to adults of every age and ability at a variety of different local venues across Runcorn, Widnes and St Helens. Before the course you will be given a FREE health check.
We cover:
- Top tips for weight loss
- How to get more active
- Making meals healthier
- How to control cravings
- Cooking demonstrations and tasting
If you would like to join Fresh Start or have any comments or questions please call 0300 300 0103 or email health.improvement@nhs.net A member of the team with get back to you within 2 working days.
The next session is due to commence on Wednesday January 30th 2013. Please contact the Health Improvement Team for more information.
Date & Time: Thursday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: £2.00
Catering for beginners and intermediate ability dancers in a friendly and helpful atmosphere. Join in at your own pace. Line dancing came about at Crownway after a survey was carried out at an afternoon Tea Dance during the Open Week activities of October 2005.
Visitors to the centre were asked what kind of activities they would like the centre to make available. Line Dancing was a popular request.
The Thursday evening sessions are presented by Crownway representative and local guitar & vocalist, Gordon Blackburn who had already begun providing the Tea Dances at the centre. Although a complete novice as far as line dancing was concerned Gordon started the first sessions with a few CD’s and an instructional line dance video on the big screen with everyone following the steps.
Some of the dancers who had previous experience suggested some of their favourite dances and kindly provided CD’s and step sheets and we all help each other which makes for an enjoyable learning experience. We are now quite proficient at dancing ‘Black Velvet’ ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’ Smokey Places’ ‘Islands In The Streams’ and ‘Waltz Across Texas’ to name but a few. Gordon also provides some ‘live entertainment’ with some alternative songs which fit the tempo of the routines and gives the dancers an opportunity to sing along to some pop songs and golden oldies.
All are welcome to come along and enjoy the experience which is also good exercise.
Date & Time: Friday 9.30am - 10.30am
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: £2.00 per session
Pilates is ideal for trimming & toning your body the gentle way. Relieve stress and tension, improve your physical fitness, posture and flexibility and re-balance your sense of well-being. A great opportunity to meet new friends in a relaxing environment.
Contact the St Helens Health Improvement Team for more information on 01744 697432
1. Pilates is Whole-Body Fitness
Unlike some forms of exercise, Pilates does not over-develop some parts of the body and neglect others. While Pilates training focuses on core strength, it trains the body as an integrated whole. Pilates workouts promote strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for the joints.
Attention to core support and full-body fitness — including the breath and the mind — provide a level of integrative fitness that is hard to find elsewhere. It is also the reason that Pilates is so popular in rehab scenarios, as well as with athletes who find that Pilates is a great foundation for any kind of movement they do.
2. Adaptable to Many Fitness Levels and Needs
Whether you are a senior just starting to exercise, an elite athlete or somewhere in between, the foundations of Pilates movement apply to you. Building from core strength, focusing on proper alignment, and a body/mind integrative approach make Pilates accessible to all. With thousands of possible exercises and modifications, Pilates workouts can be tailored to individual needs.
3. Creates Strength Without Bulk
Long, lean muscles are the name of the game here. In Pilates, we are not looking to build muscles for show. We are building toned muscles that work perfectly within the context of the body as a whole, and the functional fitness needs of a person as they move through life.
One of the ways that Pilates creates long, strong muscles is by taking advantage of a type of muscle contraction called an eccentric contraction.
4. Increases Flexibility
In Pilates, we work toward a safe increase in length and stretch of the muscles and range of motion within the joints. You won’t find quite as much “pretzel logic” in Pilates as you might in yoga, but a body that can stretch and bend to meet the flow of life is a very realistic goal.
5. Develops Core Strength
The core muscles of the body are the deep muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor. These are the muscles we rely on to support a strong, supple back, good posture, and efficient movement patterns. When the core is strong, the frame of the body is supported. This means the neck and shoulders can relax, and the rest of the muscles and joints are freed to do their jobs — and not more. A nice side benefit is that the core training promotes the flat abs that we all covet.
6. Improves Posture
Good posture is a reflection good alignment supported by a strong core. It is a position from which one can move freely. Starting with Pilates movement fundamentals and moving through mat and equipment exercises, Pilates trains the body to express itself with strength and harmony. You can see this in the beautiful posture of those who practice Pilates.
7. Increases Energy
It might seem like a paradox, but the more you exercise, the more energy you have and the more you feel like doing (to a point, of course). Pilates gets the breath and circulation moving, stimulates the spine and muscles, and floods the body with the good feelings one gets from exercising the whole body.
8. Promotes Weight Loss and Long, Lean Appearance
If you practice Pilates regularly, it will change your body. Known for creating long, strong muscles and a leaner look; Pilates improves muscle tone, balances musculature, supports beautiful posture, and teaches you to move with ease and grace. All of these things will make you look and feel very fit.
If you want to lose weight, the formula for weight loss remains the same: Burn more calories than you take in. As a full-body fitness method, Pilates help will help you do that. Combined with aerobic activity, Pilates becomes a prime weight loss and body toning tool.
9. Increases Awareness – Body/Mind Connection
Joseph Pilates was adamant that Pilates, or contrology as he called it, was about “the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” This is one of the secrets of Pilates exercise: we practice each movement with total attention. When we exercise in this way, the body and mind unite to bring forth the most benefit possible from each exercise. The Pilates principles — centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow — are key concepts that we use to integrate body and mind.
10. There are Many Ways to Learn Pilates
Pilates instruction is easy to come by these days. The ever-growing popularity of Pilates has put it on the map all over the world. This is good because when you start Pilates training, it is important to start with live Pilates instruction at a studio or gym, and preferably from a certified instructor. But there are lots of ways to supplement your learning once you get going. You can practice at home and you don’t need one bit of fancy equipment, just comfy clothes and a mat.
Date & Time: Tuesdays 10.00am – 12.00pm, 5.00pm – 6.30pm, 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: £4.95
Welcome to my world. I joined Slimming World as a member 22 years ago, overweight, self conscious and weighing 18st. I knew I had to do something. A friend had joined Slimming World and persuaded me to go along, I was very nervous and apprehensive… Click here to find out more.
Choose from hundreds of hugely satisfying everyday foods – create delicious, satisfying meals that the whole family will love. Come and join us. For further information, contact Sue Tuffs on 01695 627230.
Date & Time: Thursday 4.00pm - 4.45pm
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: £3.50
New and Exciting Ballet and Tap classes for children aged 5-7yrs are running every Thursday 4.00-4.45pm at Crownway Community Centre (£3.50 per child). Learn a new skill and make friends whilst having fun. Each year the children will take part in various shows and charity events and also work towards exams following the ISTD syllabus.
All staff are CRB Checked, have own PLI and First Aid Trained. For more details contact :
Miss Alexandra Lewis (Aistd) on 07507 787 136 or email: alexandrajane240@hotmail.com.
Alexandra also runs the Tiny Tutus pre-school ballet movements from 1.45pm – 2.30pm on Thursdays at a cost of £3.50 Please check the Whats On category above to find out more information.
Date & Time: Thursdays 1.45pm - 2.30pm
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: £3.50
Tiny Tutus!
A brand new pre-school ballet and movements class aimed at 2-4 year old children. Aimed at capturing and nurturing a toddler’s natural joy for movement and freedom of expression. It is designed to encourage pre-school children to participate in dance activities that are developmentally appropriate, helping to facilitate the learning of dance skills at a later age.
If you’d like more information, contact Alexandra Lewis on 07507 787 136 or email her alexandrajane240@hotmail.com
Every Thursday 1.45pm – 2.30pm at Crownway Community Centre. Cost just £3.50 per week. Please register your interest now with Alexandra as places are limited.
Date & Time: Monday 11.45am - 12.45pm
Venue: Crownway Community Centre
Price: £3.50
Ideal for – but not exclusive to – the active older participant! Low impact and easy to follow Zumba Gold session will be available from:
Every Monday morning (11.45am – 12.45pm)
at Crownway Community Centre, Earlestown.
£3.50 per session
No need to book a place, just come along and enjoy one hour of gentle invigorating Latin-based dance fitness. Our recent taster session was a huge success with an all around positive response to the dance style. Catering to individual needs, you can participate sitting down if you prefer and our Zumba Gold instructor, Louise, will be on hand to give you support and make the session an enjoyable one!
