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SAFE COMMUNITIES NEWS

Fall Prevention Classes: Low Risk

Balancing and Strength Exercises

Research shows that to reduce chances of falling, people must include balance and strength exercises that are progressive (get more challenging over time), and that are practiced for at least 50 hours over 15 weeks. Anyone interested in preventing falls should add these activities to their daily and weekly routine. And it’s important to keep going – any improvements to balance can be lost quickly if we don’t keep it up. And keep walking, swimming, stretching – or moving any way you like – it’s worth it!

Movement Starters for Adults

Are you looking for new ways to learn how to move more easily while having fun? We just may have the answer. We are a group of four local instructors who focus on the movement arts for adults. We are offering a different intro movement workshop, one per month, from August thru November. Each workshop runs from 10:30am – 11:45am and takes place at Madison Circus Space (2082 Winnebago St., Madison, WI). Cost is $10 per person per workshop, cash, or check, payable at the workshop. To register for one or more workshops and for more information, please email hildybee@gmail.com. Minimum 5 people registered to hold the workshop. 
Below are the workshop dates and a brief description of the class and the instructor:
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 – How to Fall – The goal of this class is to safely practice falling and getting back up without injury, using thick mats. Barb Brown is an A.C.E. certified personal trainer and a practitioner and a teacher of the martial art Aikido, at Aikido of Madison, where she has been falling and getting up since 1984.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 – Parkour, Only Soft Landings – Parkour is about moving from one place to another in a fluid, efficient, and creative manner, using your environment as your gym. The curriculum is informed by PK Silver, the world’s first and only evidence-based parkour program for older adults. Susan Frikken, a physical therapist in private practice in Madison, is also a certified facilitator of Stepping On, an evidence-based falls reduction program, and co-creator of Ballroom Basics for Balance™.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 – Recovery – This nurturing class will guide you through the gentle movement of the Feldenkrais Method. Your joints and muscles will thank you! Catrina Choate-Heretoiu is a somatic educator and ballet teacher who works toward improving the quality of movement to improve the quality of life. She is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais practitioner and offers Awareness Through Movement classes.
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 – Single-Point Low-Flying Trapeze – This class will offer you the opportunity to apply your movement skills and muscles while using a low trapeze bar as your dance partner. Hildy Feen has been studying and performing aerial dance for over 20 years, and has been teaching low-flying trapeze for over 10 years. 

Ballroom Basics for Balance™

Challenge your balance and make it better with basic moves of ballroom dance!  Research shows that dance is one way to improve balance and reduce falls. This class is for you if:

  • You want to get better at walking or moving around on various surfaces, both inside and outside (like carpets, grass, and snowy walkways).
  • You have had at least one fall in the past year or have a fear of falling.
  • You are able to participate in medium-difficult activity without major health symptoms (like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness).
  • You are able to move about on your own with or without a device to help you.
  • You can hear and see well enough to participate in a group class.
  • You are interested in having fun!

You will learn basic movements of traditional smooth and Latin style ballroom dances with and without music; you can practice on your own or with a partner in this group class.  We will learn to dance while learning about improving balance.  No experience or partner needed! Taught by physical therapists and other health care professionals.

Available Classes: Virtual and Outdoor Classes Now Available!! Check the website for additional information:  https://www.ballroombasicsforbalance.org

To register for the summer 2023 session at Yahara Place Park, click HERE!

 Middleton Senior Center Ballroom Basics for Balance

Middleton Senior Center, 7448 Hubbard Ave., Middleton
Wednesdays, September 13 – October 25, 2023 from 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Instructor: Krista Spiro 
Cost: $42 (7 weeks)
For more information, visit www.cityofmiddleton.us/109/Senior-Center or call 608-831-2373 
 

 Black Power Dance

Madison Circus Space, 2082 Winnebago St., Madison
Instructor: Francis Medrano
Cost: Varies
For more information, email francismedranot@yahoo.es; Facebook Page: Black Power Dance
 

 Graham Beginning Adult

Kanopy Dance Studio, 329 W. Mifflin St., Madison
Instructor: Robert Cleary
Cost: Varies based on tuition period
For more information, email info@kanopydance.org or call 608-255-2211
 

 Low Flying Trapeze for Older Adults

Madison Circus Space, 2082 Winnebago St., Madison
Instructor: Hildy Bee
Cost: Varies 
For more information, email hildybee@gmail.com or visit www.madisoncircusspace.com  
 

 Basics of Aikido

Aikido of Madison, 2219 Atwood Ave., Madison
Instructor: Barb Brown
Cost: Varies 
For more information, visit www.aikidoofmadison.com or call 608-231-3935
 

 Middleton Senior Center Chair Yoga

Middleton Senior Center, 7448 Hubbard Ave., Middleton
Instructor: Susan Martin & Leora Weitzman 
Cost: Varies 
For more information, visit www.cityofmiddleton.us/109/Senior-Center or call 608-831-2373 
 

 Middleton Senior Center Strength & Flexibility

Middleton Senior Center, 7448 Hubbard Ave., Middleton
Instructor: Paul Novak
Cost: Varies 
For more information, visit www.cityofmiddleton.us/109/Senior-Center or call 608-831-2373 
 

 Virtual Senior Strength and Stretch – Hosted by Newbridge

Mondays and Wednesdays, ongoing
9:00am – 9:45am (except public holidays)
$20/month to access all Monday/Wednesday classes
Contact Becky Otte-Ford to sign up at 608-215-4119 or raonine@gmail.com

 Parkour Senior: Only Soft Landings! 

Travel through your world with joy and creativity! Learn balance and coordination, work on preventing falls, find more flexibility in your body and more movement options for your life! The curriculum is informed by PK Silver, the world’s first and only evidence-based parkour program for older adults. 

Check back for available classes!

Ageless Balance – Virtual

Regain your balance with simple and safe seated and standing exercises that can be modified for any fitness level. Information will be provided about how to prevent falls. This class is designed to improve balance, as well as strength, endurance, and flexibility, while increasing muscle mass and bone density. Free exercise equipment provided when you register.

Virtual classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30pm – 2:15pm.

Click here to register and for more information: https://agelessbalance.com/class-registration/

Cost: $25/month

Tai Chi with Jody Curley

Jody Curley, M.A., has been a Tai Chi student since 1983 and a Tai Chi teacher since 1988. She worked as a dementia care specialist for forty years and found that adapting Tai Chi principles of movement combined with self-awareness was extremely helpful in caring for others, as well as for herself. She now focuses on teaching both traditional and adapted Tai Chi movements to older adults (like herself!) for balance and care of body, mind, and spirit, with a particular emphasis on trying easy instead of trying hard. Please see available classes below:
 
Verona Senior Center Cup of Chi (Zoom)

Instructor – Jody Curley
Tuesdays, 11:30am – 12:15pm
Ongoing from January 10, 2023
For registration information, contact Jody Curley – jodycurley@gmail.com
$5 per class

Website: Tai Chi Peace Zoom Studio

Monona Senior Center Cup of Chi (Zoom)

Instructor – Jody Curley
Thursdays, 11:30am – 12:15pm
Ongoing from January 12, 2023
For registration information, contact Jody Curley – jodycurley@gmail.com
$5 per class

Website: Tai Chi Peace Zoom Studio

Monona Senior Center Tai Chi Ease (Zoom)

Instructor – Jody Curley
Mondays, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Ongoing from January 9, 2023 (skip 1/16/23 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
For registration information, contact Jody Curley – jodycurley@gmail.com
$5 per class

Website: Tai Chi Peace Zoom Studio

 Tai Chi Chuan Short Form and Long Form (Zoom)

Instructor – Jody Curley
Saturdays, 10:00am – 11:00am William CC Chen 60 Movements Short Form

Saturdays, 11:15am – 12:00pm 132 Movement Yang Style Long Form Review

Ongoing from January 7, 2023
For registration information, contact Jody Curley at jodycurley@gmail.com

Website: Tai Chi Peace Zoom Studio 

$10 per class

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention Class

This gentle Tai Chi class is designed to improve balance and the symptoms of arthritis. Adults
who are independently mobile with or without an assistive device will benefit from this class.
Even those who don’t have arthritis or balance challenges enjoy this class.
 
Amy Stoddard, Certified TCAFP Instructor
When: Thursdays, 10:30am – 11:30am drop in and ongoing; donations accepted
Where: Balancing Meridians, 136 Owen Rd., Monona
Email Amy Stoddard at taichiamystoddard@gmail.com for questions or to attend.
 

Strength Stretch Balance – Virtual

Exercise class done standing and sitting with an emphasis on resistance exercise, mobility and range of motion, and balance (no getting down on the floor)

Instructor: Marlene Storms

  • Mon: 11:00am – 11:50am
  • Tues: 10:30am – 11:30am
  • Wed: 9:00am – 9:50am
  • Thurs: 10:30am – 11:30am

Supplies Needed: armless chair, hand weights, towel or small ball (larger than a tennis ball, smaller than a soccer ball), water; optional: ankle weights

Cost: $50/month per household (includes Plank/Floor classes)

To register, contact Marlene Storms at thedailyfitwithmarlene@outlook.com

Plank/Floor – Virtual

More intense exercise class with emphasis on resistance exercise, mobility and range of motion, and balance

Instructor: Marlene Storms

  • Mon: 9:00am – 9:50am
  • Thurs: 9:30am – 10:20am

Supplies Needed: yoga mat, hand weights, water

Cost: $50/month per household (includes Strength Stretch Balance classes)

To register, contact Marlene Storms at thedailyfitwithmarlene@outlook.com

Mindful Movement

Program designed for seniors but open to any adult interested. Contact Venus Washington for information.

Get Movin: A gentle exercise program for every fitness level. Contact Venus Washington for information.

Instructor: Venus Washington

Website: Venus Washington | Welcome to my Health Coach Site

Madison Circus Space’s Beginning German Wheel

A circus art that uses the wheel, an apparatus made of metal hoops connected with spokes. Completely supervised, this is a fun and totally different way to be active and fit! Check website for class schedule.

Instructor: Carly Schuna

Website: https://madisoncircusspace.com

Tai Chi Center of Madison

Tai Chi Fundamentals – The Tai Chi Fundamentals Program offers a clear system for mastering the basics of tai chi while retaining the integrity of traditional Yang Style tai chi (Cheng Man Ch’ing lineage). This program is designed to make tai chi clear and accessible for beginners with a wide range of abilities, and for experienced practitioners wishing to refine essential groundwork.

ROM Dance/Gentle Exercise- The ROM Dance is a gentle mind/body exercise and relaxation program designed especially for people with pain and other physical conditions which may limit movement. “ROM” stands for Range-Of-Motion exercises recommended by doctors and therapists to help keep the joints flexible. The ROM Dance incorporates these movements with basic mind/body principles from tai chi, and is accompanied by quiet music and a verse that evokes light, warmth and well being.

Instructor: Rachel Sandretto

Websites: http://taichicenterofmadison.com/fund.shtml   http://taichicenterofmadison.com/rom.shtml

*Please call for information about in-person and virtual classes 608-663-8299

Yang (Cheng Man Ch’ing/Taiwan Form) All Levels – Tai chi is a form of qigong (energy cultivation). Based in martial arts movements, tai chi provides training in proper body mechanics and natural alignment. It fosters a relaxed body and a peaceful state of mind, which are essential ingredients for cultivating healthy energy or qi.

Instructor: Doug Brown

Website: http://taichicenterofmadison.com/yang.shtml#cheng

*Please call for information about in-person and virtual classes 608-663-8299

Yang 1 Beginner Tai Chi

Yang 2 – 3 Intermediate Tai Chi

Tai chi is a form of qigong (energy cultivation). Based in martial arts movements, tai chi provides training in proper body mechanics and natural alignment. It fosters a relaxed body and a peaceful state of mind, which are essential ingredients for cultivating healthy energy or qi.

Instructor: Bruce Aunet

Website: http://taichicenterofmadison.com/yang.shtml

*Please call for information about in-person and virtual classes 608-663-8299

 

RESOURCES

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School-based Programs

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Dispose of medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, April 22

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SAFE COMMUNITIES

getting involved

The partnerships built by Safe Communities have created a safer community, with more opportunities for education and awareness. We continue to envision a safer future for the people who live in Madison and Dane County, with instances of unnecessary deaths and serious injuries are infrequent, rather than a daily occurrence.

RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE

Treatment Key

Safe communities has complied a list of abbreviation definitions for finding the right treatment for you.

MAT: Medication for Addiction Treatment.
OP: Outpatient Treatment – person lives at home or in the community, attends. individual and group therapy, these can include or not include MAT.
IOP: Intensive Outpatient Treatment – person lives at home or in the community, attends individual and extended groups, 9-12 hours a week.
Residential: person lives at the facility for a period of at least 14 days, some last as many as 45 days.
PHP: Partial Hospitalization Program is a structured mental health treatment program that runs for several hours each day, three to five days per week.
DBT: Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that integrates mindfulness techniques.