Health, Fitness and Personal Development
To enrol on one of our Health and Fitness courses, please click on the 'Course Search' button on the main menu to the left of the screen.
Increasingly, we are hearing in the media, about the importance of personal fitness and its contribution to health and well being. Exercise is a powerful weapon for warding off the effects of a negative lifestyle and the effects of aging. Obesity is now common and links to diabetes in older people. Our increasingly sedentary society leads to the detriment of our health. Exercise lowers the blood pressure and cholesterol and can tackle depression and chronic fatigue. Further, exercise releases those feel good endorphins and these can boost immunity too. All types of exercise are valuable in aiding and maintaining health. The courses at ACRES go further than just “doing”. Students gain knowledge of what their subject is about and its contribution to their health. Needless to say they are very enjoyable too!
Most of our courses run for 10 weeks over the three terms, though there are 1 day dance workshops and shorter 5 week courses in Alexander Technique. In the case of our 10 week courses it is planned that these courses will continue throughout the year if there is sufficient student interest.
There is a range of courses with a variety of levels. For example those with “Gently” in the title are specifically designed for the older learner. These exercise classes in this range continue to be very popular and early enrolment is recommended. Other courses in this curriculum area will specify the level of experience required, either beginners, improvers, or all abilities.
If you need further information and guidance then please contact us on 01825 761820 or visit our website www.acreslearning.org.uk for a course information sheet which will provide useful details and clarification for each course.
FITNESS
All courses stress all-round exercise suitable for a wide range of abilities and are taught by well qualified and committed tutors. Whatever your age, health and fitness is central to overall well being.
Fitness courses on offer this year:
Yoga
Tai Chi
Alexander Technique
Keeping Fit Gently
Zumba followed by slimming advice and support
Zumba followed by tone classes
Yoga
Yoga is a holistic approach to health focussing on postures, breathing and relaxation. It is a very valuable tool for the reduction of stress and increasing mobility. The more advanced course gives consideration to meditative techniques. We offer a variety of courses and levels which will encourage students to work within their personal movement range.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a non combat approach to the martial arts and is invaluable in developing a calm mind and a stronger body with improved balance and coordination and suitable for all ages and abilities.
Keeping Fit Gently
These are all round fitness classes for the mature and older learner. The course will cover mobility, spine, posture, breathing, balance and fall prevention.
Alexander Technique
Alexander Technique is a proven way of understanding and aiding postural joint and stress problems. This is not an exercise class. All learners will receive plenty of 1:1 guidance.
Zumba followed by Slimming advice and support
Zumba is the Latin inspired, easy to follow dance fitness class that allows you to burn calories whilst having lots of fun. You won’t even notice you are exercising! After the Zumba class the trained and experienced tutor will be able to give personal advice to each student on diet and exercise.
Zumba followed by Tone Classes
You will learn about Zumba dance, including the four basic Zumba rhythms – Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, Reggaetton with variations of the moves that suit your own ability and fitness levels. After the Zumba class the tutor will provide toning exercises to help you shape up your body all over, and what exercises to do for specific problem areas.
DANCE
People are becoming increasingly aware of dance and how dancing is an all-round, enjoyable, fun method of improving fitness and well being. Dancing works on all areas of the body and it stimulates cardio-vascular activity while the music enhances enjoyment.
Dance courses on offer this year:
Latin American Dance
Belly Dancing
Dance for Fun
Movement and Dance Gently
Belly Dance
This is an alluring and rhythmical style of dance which is excellent for flexibility, developing coordination and improving posture as well as great fun to do. We are offering two 4 week introductory courses at Heathfield and Beacon to allow the complete beginner to get a feel for the dance without having to enrol on our longer courses. After the 4 week course, students can enrol on our 10 week beginners’ course.
Dance for Fun and Fitness
These courses use a variety of different techniques and dance styles to give a stimulating exercise class. Excellent for all-round fitness.
Movement and Dance Gently
This fun and popular course is designed for the older learner. It uses a range of enjoyable styles of dance which promote all round health. During the course you will learn simple dances with props as well as relevant health issues.
Latin American Dance
This dance course is all about the passionate and dynamic style of the Latin moves. You will study the Mambo, Latin American Rumba and Samba. It is excellent for flexibility, coordination and cardio-vascular.
ONE DAY HISTORICAL DANCE WORKSHOPS
Italian Court Dances
These are very simple but enjoyable dances. No previous dance experience is required. Students will learn the dance how to perform Italian court dances from the 15th and 16th century to music and additional information on costumes and historical context of the dances will be provided.
French Court Dances
Students will learn the dances of the French court between 15th and 18th century, including “La Dame” a 15th century Basse dance for couples, a “Pavane” a slow processional dance, “Branle” a circular dance and “Minuet” a baroque dance for couples.
English Court Dances
Students will learn to dance the English Country dances of the 17th and 19th century, working in groups of 6 to 8 students performing a variety of dances such as the “Hunsdon House” and the “Lancers Quadrille”.
