#ymca-dance

#ymca-dance

"Brooklyn has always been a place where movement is part of daily life. But today, Brooklynites, like all New Yorkers, are moving less, feeling more isolated and dealing with elevated rates of chronic diseases."

Special needs summer camps are specialized programs designed for children and young adults with a range of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, and other developmental or physical challenges.

There's something powerful that happens when students step onto a stage and the entire community shows up for them. Events like this bring families, staff, and students together in a way that builds pride, connection, and a real sense of belonging.

In frightening times, it makes a huge difference not to feel alone. Creating art with others in community enhances agency and strengthens self. Creativity requires an open heart; love enhances hope and diminishes fear.

I am delighted that the once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has reached another key milestone with the submission of the planning application for its transformation. The 15hectare site, opened in 1964, is set for a revamp of its athletics stadium, indoor arena, and swimming and diving facilities.

Leger-Walker challenged the UCLA dance team to teach a halftime routine within 24 hours for a video on her YouTube channel, where she was joined by Jaquez. She said if the video got more than 1,000 likes, she and her teammates would perform during halftime at a men's basketball game.

When I came to America I tried a lot of classes and 90% of them, even if a class was for beginner level, were really difficult. I was thinking, if I were a grown woman who just decided to start, I'm going to get trauma, it's so hard, it's so competitive, and I [said], I need to create something dedicated to women, without this pressure, without this judgmental vibe.

Solidcore is a 50-minute, full-body, strength-training workout that uses slow, controlled movements to break down slow-twitch muscle fibers, allowing them to build back stronger and leaner. Unlike traditional Pilates, Solidcore is built around targeted strength training.

"Human connection is an essential part of our magic formula. Stoking community fuels our strong membership retention."

The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center officially opened to the public on February 10 in East Flatbush, becoming the first new Parks rec center in Central Brooklyn in more than a decade and the borough's largest facility. The $141 million center is expected to serve over 41,000 residents within a 15-minute walk or transit ride. Council Member Farah N. Louis, who spearheaded the project, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani led the grand opening on February 9 alongside local and state officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Kevin Parker, and Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Monique Chandler-Waterman.

Tower Hamlets said extending opening hours at the Whitechapel and Mile End centres could meet "rising demand from shift workers and younger adults". They also say it could allow badminton and other late-night bookings in the hall and more access to the fitness studio. The proposal is included in the council's draft budget plans for the 2026-27 financial year, which starts in April.

Oh no, oh no, oh no.

This year, I'm making my own celebrations and reaching my peak social potential by hosting at least one dinner party a month, going all out each time. First on my lineup is a Ham Party - I was just gifted a 12-pound hock, so I'm using it as an excuse to gather friends on a Sunday. The invitation I made features a tiny watercolor ham with a bow, the dress code is pink, and I'm serving French 75s and homemade sides.

San Jose is introducing the Game On youth sports program, designed to inspire thousands of local students and community members. Officials gathered at the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley - Smythe Clubhouse to unveil this initiative, part of the city's SJ26 campaign and backed by the San Jose Sports Authority. From January through June, 50 activations called Game On Moments will roll out at schools and community spots, reaching young people with hands-on sports experiences.

My generation's social lives revolved around drinking too much, but I'm glad it's not like that any more When I was growing up in the early 1990s, I counted down the days to turning 18 so that I could drink in the local hotspot - The Meeting Place.

It's Sunday evening and dozens of people are ping-ponging around the room at Berkeley's Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center. It's the end of a three-day traveling music festival called " Dare to Be Square West," and folks are whirling, stomping and otherwise having a ball. A man who's perched like a shepherd eyeing his flock calls out instructions from the stage. "Take your partner and promenade!" he hollers, as people form lines, part and reintegrate.

'But it's actually not 'me time.' It's 'we time.' And so you need to be mindful of the fact that you're not alone and other people are also trying to enjoy the class, too.'

When I think about my neighbor who just turned 65, I'm struck by how different she seems from others her age. While some of her peers have settled into quiet routines, she radiates an energy that makes people assume she's a decade younger. The difference? She discovered salsa dancing last year and hasn't looked back. Age might be just a number, but let's be honest: How we spend our time shapes how others perceive our vitality.

This is an absolute beginners course on the foundations of classical ballet and, a single catastrophic line dance lesson aside, it is also the first dance class I have ever attended. I am in the minority. As we take the barre, it quickly becomes apparent that not being able to tell my left from my right will be a significant deficit over the next 16 weeks. This, however, is a tertiary concern.

It got me thinking. While everyone's obsessing over the latest fitness trends and biohacking protocols, these folks have been consistently moving their bodies for decades. No fancy equipment, no Instagram-worthy routines, just simple habits they picked up long before movement became a multibillion-dollar industry. So I started asking around, digging into research, and talking to people who've stayed active well into their golden years. What I found wasn't revolutionary or complicated. It was refreshingly simple.