January 2022 Calendar Reminders

Happy New Year & Welcome to January 2022!  This first month of the new year typically ushers in new year’s resolutions, crazy diets, unrealistic goals; some farfetched and a few sorta reasonable goals! This year let's try focusing on the wonders of God's grace and mercy, and the fact that we made it to 2022! Remembering along the way, many losses of family, friends, and loved ones to covid and it's variants. Let's learn from yesterday, live for today, & hope for tomorrow!   Notable health awareness topics to focus on this month include glaucoma awareness, cervical cancer, national blood donor month, and thyroid awareness month. January holidays we celebrate, of course, are New Year's Day, and MLK holiday! TAKE PERSONAL CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH & WELLBEING Schedule those annual check-ups, physicals, paps, mammograms, colonoscopies, etc. ***BENCH AEROBICS YOUTUBE CHANNEL*** Hey guys! My Bench Aerobics YouTube Channel is up and going! Check it out! Click on the link below to find it. You can click "subscribe" to get posting notifications; the same way you "like" my Facebook page to get notifications. So, why does YouTube ask you to sign-in to subscribe? Because you need somewhere to save your subscriptions. No need to subscribe to see the videos; you just won't get notifications when new stuff is posted. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgSpDIdySG9FbtfT2tyMH_g About Facebook . . . since the "live" stream button re-appeared on my Facebook page, I've reestablished virtual sessions there. For now, I am uploading the live videos from Facebook into YouTube. So, Youtubers will see the recorded live sessions a wee-bit later. Glaucoma Awareness National Glaucoma Awareness Month, in January, reminds all of us to get regular eye exams and show support for those suffering. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness. It is actually a group of diseases where pressure (usually) builds up and damages the eye’s optic nerve.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month Cervical cancer, often referred to as “the silent killer, affects women of all ages worldwide and presents no symptoms in its early stages. In 2017, it was estimated that in the U.S. 13,000 women were diagnosed and that 4,000 deaths had occurred due to cervical cancer. Most cervical cancers are caused by sexual transmission of HPV. Despite the availability of an HPV vaccine, cervical cancer remains the third most common cancer among women worldwide.

National Blood Donor Month Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life." According to the American Red Cross, winter is “one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.” Basically, busy holiday schedules and bad weather often results in canceled blood drives. Furthermore, seasonal illnesses such as the flu force potential donors to forgo their blood donations. That’s just one of the reasons that National Blood Donor Month, which has taken place each January since 1970, is such an important observance.

Thyroid Awareness Month Thyroid Awareness Month calls attention to the various health problems connected to the thyroid. Most of us have heard about thyroid glands, but we may not realize the importance of the gland or that we may have symptoms of this disease. January is dedicated to talking about thyroid disease – the conditions and symptoms, importance of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the many issues thyroid issues face day-to-day.  Diagnosing thyroid disease in seniors can be difficult because some of the symptoms are also associated with aging or other medical conditions — however, these can also be signs of thyroid disease, as well.

Yoga Anyone? Interested in learning Yoga? Jace teaches FREE Yoga sessions on the 2nd & 4th Wed each month; 6p-7p; Bham Fitness Center North! 421 Abraham Woods Drive (8th ave north), Bham, AL 35204  Benefits of Yoga Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility Yoga helps with back pain relief Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms Yoga benefits heart health Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better Yoga can mean more energy and brighter moods Yoga helps you manage stress

Beginner Aerobics Classes-PVCC 3000 Jefferson State Parkway, Bham, AL 35215  Join us at PVCC for Beginner Aerobics! Let's start slower, learn the basics and work our way from there. Learn basic terminology, pacing and routine movements. Workouts include warm-ups, stretching, workout, cooldown and more stretching. JAN Sessions - Sat 1/8, 1/15, 1/22 11:30am-12:15pm (Back Gym)

~ BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES-PVCC ~ 3000 Jefferson State Parkway, Bham, AL 35215 Beginner Line Dance classes at PVCC for those wanting to learn the basic steps performed in many line dance classes. Please pass the word to others you know that may be struggling or want to learn! If you've been out of the line dance world for some time, this is a great way to get reacclimated. Line dance is a great form of exercise! FREE to all! Jan Sessions - Sat 1/8, 1/15, 1/22 10a-11:15am (Back Gym)

Abbreviated Calendar Reminders: BFCN – Monday (Step) 4:45pm – 5:45pm HWD – Tuesday (Step) 4:15pm – 5:15pm; Thursday (Cardio Line Dance) 4:15pm – 5:15pm PVCC – Wednesday (Line Dance); 4:45pm – 5:45pm Virtual – Tues & Thurs; 6:45pm -7:30pm; via Bench Aerobics U-Tube Channel

**** Accepting class donations in lieu of session fees! Thanks to those that have chosen to give! Donations are purely voluntary, and totally appreciated! Donation boxes are provided in class; or virtually through Cash App ($benchaerobics) Thanks 😊 ****

Step Aerobics Sessions combine floor aerobics, Single, Vertical & Double Step, Exertubes (rubber bands), Free Weight Training/ Toning, Calisthenics (abs, inner/outer leg, glutes).  Cardio Line Dance - Such Fun! Learn the fun and finer points of line dance. Learn original dance movements to the latest hits that made them popular, as we break down patterns into easy to learn steps. This video from the 12/16/21 Cardio Line Dance virtual session! It's Mee! Enjoy 😊!

Working From Home & Online School Pain Relief Stretches & Exercises Dr. Jo says sitting in front of a computer all day for school or work can tighten & weaken muscles in the neck, shoulders, chest, hips, knees, and feet. She offers a few sitting stretches & exercises that may help ease the tension. Starting in the neck area, chin tucks, upper trap stretch, and levator scapulae stretch are some of my favorite stretches and exercises for the neck and shoulders. Next is a chest stretch for the pec muscles which can tighten and cause pain when we are hunched over all day. Next, for the hips, knees, and feet are seated hip flexion, seated knee extension or LAQs, and seated heel and toe raises. These are great to keep the blood flowing in the lower legs. Finally, is a deep breathing exercise with arm movements. This is great to get your whole body moving and awake again. This video for general informational purposes only. It must never be considered as substitute for advice provided by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Always seek advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with questions you may have regarding your health or medical condition.

How to REVERSE Insulin Resistance QUICKLY with KETO! (In Type 2 Diabetes) Health Coach Kait talks about one way of reversing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The keto diet is PROVEN to improve insulin sensitivity and reverse insulin resistance! Diet is the most important factor when it comes to our health and insulin resistance especially. This is for general informational purposes only! It must never be considered as substitute for advice provided by a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Always seek advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with questions you may have regarding your health or medical condition.

Sing out Jubilant, Joyful, January Birthday greetings to those below as well as OTHERS I may have missed!

1/02 Faye Flemming 1/04 Pam Lyons 1/04 Tracy Waller 1/10 Vickie Raspberry 1/14 Melia Allen 1/19 Malika Mohammad 1/21 Monica Williams 1/25 Sara Bell 1/25 Yolanda Woods 1/26 Shevetta Elder 1/27 Gloria Richardson 1/30 Joyce Thomas 1/31 LaJoyce Debro

Look for other health articles, exercise tips, links to FB workout videos and so much more coming to future publications.

Bench Aerobics | 205.253.9344 benchaerobics@bellsouth.net