GAGA + YOGA returns SUNDAYS at the 14th Street Y

These kids are riveted. Focused. Gaga is the one thing besides video games that my kid loves to play. He is not an athlete, but just like all of his friends he LOVES Gaga. And this Sunday, February 1st, GAGA + Yoga returns at 3:00-3:45PM, continuing February 8th and March 1st.

GAGA at it’s finest

The point of Family Fitness initiatives at the 14th Street Y is to give opportunities for families to build healthy habits together.  Last year, we created the GAGA + YOGA model which gave parents a chance to use their Sunday to exercise, focus and relax, while their kids played a favorite sport with their friends, and with great instructors (Kevin Casidid is our GAGA guru).

Best of all, the 14th Street Y is now the proud owner of a professional GAGA Pit, which we debuted last Saturday at Pause/Play and will be using every Sunday!

New GAGA pit!

Have questions about GAGA + YOGA or other Family Fitness Initiatives?  Contact our Family Fitness Coordinator Julie_GayerKris@14StreetY.org for more information.

Joy, Frustration, and Complete Satisfaction! Conversation with Jacobs Campbell Dance

Jacobs Campbell Dance is debuting 2 new works in commemoration of their 5 year anniversary as a part of the 1^st Dance Series here at the 14^th Street Y! The company is presenting 5 on December 12-15, 2013. Click Here for tickets!

See what the co-founders, Christopher Campbell and Whitney Jacobs, have to say about their number filled performances and their movement packed Family Fitness Class.

Q: Five years, Congratulations! What was the beginning of the companies journey and how has the company grown since its inception?
Thank you! Whitney and I met through my partner about 7 years ago and easily became friends. We are both Personal Trainers with sports and dance backgrounds and began collaborating on dance within our own independent projects. It was Whitney’s idea that we present our choreography together and share a showing. Then we were both like, “Hell, lets just form a company! ” Our first show was at The Tank in 2008. In terms of production, we didn’t know what we were doing, but we had a strong work ethic and knew how to complete a project. Everything about the company has grown; marketing, dancers, grants, contributions, ideas, creative output/input, our volunteers and audience. It has been 5 years of joy, frustration and complete satisfaction! We are blessed by having a wonderful a volunteer staff, an amazing photographer/designer, and beautiful dancers.

Q: What inspires you to create the work you present?
We have various inspiration. In general, I get my inspiration from visual artists, films and music. Currently, Whitney is in Grad-School and delving into the comedic side of dance. Both of us are very physical and like big aggressive movements.

Q: What do you look for in dancers?
JCD is an eclectic company made up of dancers and non-dancers. We look for dancers or athletes who are willing to learn, take risk, collaborate, have a strong work ethic and above all, enjoy the process as much as the results.

Q: Christopher is teaching Family Fitness Class here at the 14th Street Y. How important is physical fitness to your company? What do you do as a company to stay fit?
Physical fitness is of utmost importance to the company. Almost all of the company members work in the fitness industry or have a pre-professional sports background. We all workout, train and take classes (yoga, Muay Thai, track & field, etc.), participate in events, or even coach.
We are really excited about our upcoming show at The 14th Street Y Theater and honored to be presented alongside the companies in this seasons itinerary. 

See the company in action December 12-15^th at the Theater at the 14^th Street Y. Click Here for tickets. Want to dance along with Co-founder Christopher Campbell and your family at the Family Fitness Class on Saturday December 14^th from 11-12PM? Click Here for more information!

Why I love Family Fit Day (This SUNDAY!)

1.  I was a fat kid.  

Actually, by today’s standards, I wasn’t really fat.  Childhood obesity and obesity in general has become such a national problem that my 12 year old 1980’s  version of fat, for which I was teased, is probably by today’s standards not even perceived as a problem, or out of the norm.  

Nevertheless, the issues that I had as a kid, feeling out of control, feeling that my body was my enemy, feeling that if I could only unzip my skin and step out of it a thinner person all of my problems would go away?

I can relate to childhood obesity.  I want to do my part to end it as a national problem. 

 

2.  I LOVED hanging out with my parents when I was young.

In fact, I still do.  My dad and I now always go to his gym together when I visit my parents.  I wish I had more memories of swimming, hiking and running around, together.  With them.  My best memories from childhood usually involve food, and I wish I had a lifetime association of movement and fitness with the joy that I had when I was hanging out with my parents.

 

3.  This:

 

This:

 

This:

 

And because Family Fit Day builds joy!  Family Fit Day gives this whole wonderful community of members, afterschool kids, summer camps, preschool, toddlers and babies AND their parents a chance to experience what a joy it can be to be together, move together, and GET FIT together.  

For more information or to get your Family Ticket, click here

Can’t wait to see everyone there.  

Family Fit Day is this Sunday, October 20th from 10AM-1PM, and features a family dance concert, rock wall climbing, sports and martial arts, yoga and zumba, healthy eats, and a Water to Go outdoor water fountain (we’ll provide the BPA free biodegradable bottles!)

 

Camille Diamond is the Director of Community Engagement and Communications at the 14th Street Y 

Have questions about Family Fit Day or Family Fitness at the 14th Street Y?  

Contact her at Camille_Diamond@14StreetY.org

 

Family Yoga in Action!

It is the end of class and I sit quietly observing my students in Savasana, or relaxation pose. Wrapped in flowing and colorful silk scarves, they are curled up with each other in pairs, enjoying a rare moment of stillness together. This is Family Yoga, and this season I am fortunate to share the class every Sunday at the Y.

During the class we listen to and play the singing bowl, perform a version of the sun salutation as a “Sun Dance,” skip and laugh through a game of yoga freeze tag, and recline on each other in comfy partner poses. Flushed faces, deep breaths, and giggles fill the room.

The students gently awaken and come to a sitting position.  I ask them to share something they feel thankful for. 8 year old Anna shares, “I am thankful for my family.” Jess, a mom, says, “I am thankful for watching my daughter grow up.” It is easy to sense the closeness and appreciation in the room as well as the release felt after a good workout.

 

Feel free to join Family Yoga anytime. The class is geared toward families with children ages 4 and up (although you are welcome to bring younger ones too).

It is free for members every Sunday at 2:30pm and no experience is required. As the weather cools, yoga offers us a way to build our immune systems and stay healthy and it’s a great way to Get Fit Together!

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> For more information email Julie_GayerKris@14streety.org

Family Fitness Continues!

The 14th Street Y is committed to the fitness and well-being of your entire family.  Though our Family Fitness Intensives had to take a break due to conditions from Sandy, this Sunday we’re back, and more fun than ever!

Family Capoeira is a fun and energetic workout based on martial arts, dance and simple acrobatic moves.  You and your kids will have a blast together and get a great workout at the same time! 

Family Capoeira is FREE for members.   If you have a friend or two you’d like to bring with you, please contact Camille_Diamond@14StreetY.org.

We can’t wait to Capoeira with you!

Family Fitness at the 14th Street Y!

Family Fitness is more important now than ever before.  Like it or not, our kids are on track to be the first generation to have shorter, less healthy lives than their parents.  For this reason, the 14th Street Y is making Family Fitness a priority!

Because we understand that families are busy, we know that combining exercise with fun and being together is the best way to ensure a healthy amount of activity.  With your membership you and your kids can enjoy Family Swim 7 days a week,  Family basketball court time every Saturday,  plus Special fitness intensives for the family the 2^nd Sunday of every month.

Join us for our first Family Fitness intensive THIS SUNDAY!  Our goal is to not just create opportunities for families to be FIT TOGETHER, but to create memories for healthy  habits to last a lifetime.

Save the date for our FAMILY FIT DAY event on Sunday, October 21st!  Rock Wall Climbing, great food from Beyond Sushi and Tu-Lu Bakery, plus fun relay and fitness games that you and your kids can do together!  Check  www.14StreetY.org/funwalk for more details!