·         Girls on the Run 5K Fun Run!-Come out andjoin the fun!  Run with the Girls on the Run girls, enjoy a fun morning, and support our local Girls on the Run program whose mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living!  All proceeds go to the South County Family YMCA GOTR programs!  T-shirts to the first 80 friends, family members, teachers, and community members to register!  This race is not a competition.  There will be finish ribbons to all participants who complete the 5K.   Saturday, April 26^th, 8:00 am.  Race starts at Caspersen's Park Pavilion at the end of Harbor Dr. Entry Fee (no refunds): 20.00, race day $25.00.  You can register at the YMCA or online at www.veniceymca.org. 

·         New! Nutritional Education Sessions! Need help with how to eat healthier? 
Need a more affordable way to get some nutrition education? Here is your answer! Nutritional Education Sessions with Terri!!!  Terri is a nurse and fitness instructor with an extensive nutrition background and she works closely with our staff R.D.  She will help you create an  eating plan that fits your needs and your lifestyle.  Nutritional Consulting Fees: 1 session $40.00, 5 sessions $190.00, 10 sessions $360.00, Youth Rate (12-18 yrs.): $35.00.  Contact Terri at the YMCA at 941-321-8176 to schedule your individual nutrition sessions.  

·         New Yoga Seminar!  Asana on the Ball! April 12^th, 2008.  10:30 am- 12:30 pm.
Blending the complimentary modalities of body rolling and yoga, you will get a direct experience of how myofacial release can assist you in accelerating your practice.  After lengthening the muscles to release long-held tension and other impingements, we will proceed into yoga poses (asanas), finding them easier and more pleasurable than before.  Join Nancy as she shares this multi-faceted approach to greater self-discovery.  Pre-registration required, call 492-9622.  Limited to the first 15 people to pre-register, unless you have your own ball.  @20.00 members, $30.00 non-members.  Registration required by Thursday, April 10th

·        April Wellness Lecture Series:  Tuesday, April 8th at 6:00pm-7:00pm in classroom B, "Fad Diets" will be presented by our Registered Dietician, Megan Witt.  Tuesday, April 15^th at 6:00pm-7:00pm in classroom B, "Killing Us Softly" DVD about body image and the media with Deb Betterly.  Tuesday, April 22^nd at 6:00pm-7:00pm in Classroom B, "Social and Emotional Eating" with Dr. Theo Carroll and Tuesday, April 29^th, at 6:00pm-7:00pm "Metabolism" with Terri Burks, our Nutrition Consultant.   Free.  Members and guests invited.

·         Acupuncture and Related Therapies:  Helping you reach your goals with acupuncture and related therapies, this class will cover:  Acupuncture for muscle and joint pain, the benefits of Lymphatic Drainage with light beam generator, and acupuncture face lifts, rejuvenating treatments form the inside out.  Demonstrations will be included.   Instructor Larissa Carmichael, A.P., Acupuncture Physician.  Thursday, April 17^th, 6:00pm-7:00pm.

·         " High Blood Pressure: Are you at risk?":  Julie Tickle, LPN, CPT, our Cardiac Rehab Nurse will be presenting a seminar on Blood Pressure on Thursday, April 10^th at 10:00am-11:00am in Classroom B.  Topics discussed include: BP acceptable Ranges, hypertension levels, lifestyle habits that can raise your BP, medical conditions that can raise your BP, etc. About 30 minutes long with Q&A to follow.  Free.  Members and guests invited. 

·    Introduction to Fly Fishing!: A six part course designed as an introduction to the basics of fly fishing and the principles of resource conservation.  All Equipment Provided.  Course begins April 7^th at 10:00am.  Instructor: Mark Stevens -Certified Fly Casting Instructor (Member/Federation of Fly Fishers), Class Size: 6 Students.  Cost: $25.00.  Register at the Venice YMCA. 

·       YMCA "KEEP MOVING" MONTH!: "Keep Moving" is an education program showing adults with osteoarthritis how to use simple exercises and a healthy diet to help reduce arthritis pain.  Being active is one of the best things you can do for OA!   A FREE Keep Moving Resource guide with exercise, weight loss, and joint protection strategies and tools available to the first 40 people to inquire about them to Christine Vish, our Medically Based Wellness coordinator.   Check out the website www.justkeepmoving.com for more information and an online discussion board.  Also, 200 vouchers will be given out in march where members can get a free pedometer, a free exercise DVD and a free trial of TYLENOL Arthritis Pain, simply by filling out the form and mailing it (no postage required!)

·         Pre-teen Fitness classes meet Wednesday evenings at 6:15-7:00 pm for 4 weeks each month.  The next session starts April 2^nd-April 23^rd.  Pre-teen ages 11 and 12 will have fun learning proper form and a great new fitness routine safe for their age group using the Bosu, stability balls, hand weights and more.  They will also learn how to properly use the cardio machines as well as proper wellness center etiquette.  Once they've completed the 4 weeks, they will take a test to show what they've learned and receive their certification to use the Wellness Center with a parent.  $25.00 for members only. 

·         National Healthy Kids Month: Kids ZUMBA!  This fun new class for kids will include great music and dancing!  Think "High School Musical"!  You won't believe how much fun exercise can be and how good you can really dance! Tuesdays at 4:15pm with instructor Tracy Kondisko.  Kids Kickboxing!  Join Calvin Martin, a professional boxer, for a fun hour of sparring and boxing for kids!  This class is not only great fun, but also a great workout!  Thursdays at 4:15 pm.  Classes are free to members. 

·         Group Circuit Training-Circuit Express! Do you need more accountability and to have someone push you beyond what you would normally do on your own? Then this class is for you!  It is a small group (4-8) doing circuit style training for strength and cardio using the free motion and various cardio stations in training intervals.  Led by certified personal trainer Lucia Elsadek.  Members only.  $10.00 per class, 10 classes for $85.00 or 20 classes for $170.00.  Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00-3:00 pm.  Register at front desk.  First come, first serve according to spots available. 

·         Fitness Tennis! Fitness Tennis is an exciting group tennis activity featuring drills to give players of all abilities an ultimate, high energy workout.  Classes are held on Mondays, beginning December 3^rd from 9:15-10;15.  Classes will be at Stoneybrook at Venice Community Center tennis courts and limited in size so register early by calling Nicole Burnham at 941-306-9666.  $10.00 per class paid to the instructor.