Over the next year Central Alberta residents will have the chance to dance, climb, or meditate their way to healthier living through a number of non-traditional wellness courses being offered by the Town of Penhold.
The town’s community services department is offering several courses starting this month that will give participants the opportunity to learn new skills that will help them to create a healthier lifestyle.
The three courses running this winter are Introduction to Tai Chi, Introduction to Two-Step, and Introduction to Bouldering and Climbing Wall Techniques.
There are four to five sessions per course which focus on fundamentals.
Although some of them are different than the expected sports programs offered at a recreation facility, town employees say they hope that it will provide healthy activities for those not interested in organized sport.
“We wanted to try and offer a diverse array of courses for people,” said Leanne Worr, recreation coordinator for the Town of Penhold.
All of the courses will be offered out of the new Penhold Multiplex except for the Introduction to Two-Step, which will take place at Memorial Hall.
“We have an idea of what people in the area want from the facility but we also know that not everyone likes sports and here we have a regional facility and want as many people as possible to be able to access it,” said Worr.
The new programs still focus on healthy living but are aiming to provide different ways for people to develop that healthy lifestyle.
“A lot of these programs encourage mental health and help with positive self discovery,” said Worr.
Worr said staff intend to offer different courses every season and are open to feedback and ideas from the public about what kinds of courses they would like to see offered at the Multiplex.
Next quarter Worr is hoping to offer a Sport Nutrition Level 1 course, and an Introduction to Meditation.
All of the courses are taught by qualified instructors in each of their fields.
“We really try and support locals first and the Tai Chi and meditation instructors are even from Springbrook,” said Worr.
“We have really looked into these courses and all of the instructors because we wanted to offer quality programs that people will really enjoy.”
Information about the programs and about registration can be found on the Town of Penhold website.
