Park district hosting free classes with expert instructors

Many organizations here in the Bay Area have thoughtfully adapted to the pandemic reality in order to maintain and even expand their community role.  

The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has always supported good health and wellness in the community by providing beautiful parks, programs, and facilities for physical and mental wellness. Health and fitness classes held in the parks, however, are currently still on standby.

Fortunately, EBRPD is offering a variety of fun, free online health and wellness classes as an excellent alternative through their Multicultural Virtual Program. Many people are enjoying the benefits of staying active and still connected to the community from the convenience of home from expert instructors who bring so much more to the table than just a walk in the park.  

“What I love about online classes is you’re in the front row so you can learn and watch a lot closer without being left behind even though you’re in a group setting,” says Francine Garcia, age 52. She attended a Qigong class (a calming form of Chinese yoga) on strengthening the immune system with Chinese Master David Wei, part of a four-class series. Garcia, who regularly walks and does light weight lifting and yoga, was impressed that she learned new ways to optimize her wellness.

Wei, a Kung Fu master who was raised in Richmond, lived in China with Chinese monks for five years and has a medical background. He teaches gentle movements for people of all fitness levels and health conditions, and does so while sharing a wealth of wisdom about the effects on the body, the mind and life in general.

“The moves were so easy and doable,” says Sandra Ibarra, 63, who logged in from Vallejo, “I liked this so much more than your typical exercise class for beginners. David was the perfect instructor.”

Not only did she enjoy the sense of community on the Zoom video call, but she also appreciated that no one saw her trying to “wave water” with both hands. “For a moment I looked like an idiot imitating a windmill,” laughs Ibarra. She found the class to be informative and fun.

Chachi Mesta, 60, is a two-time cancer survivor from San Francisco who also found Wei’s Zoom class to be extremely interesting, fun and easy to do. “As I don’t really get out and get much exercise, David’s simple to follow moves for each section of your internal body felt great,” says Mesta. She appreciated his referring to each body part as earth, water, sky and sun. “It made the class all the more soothing to listen to and actually do.”

Wei sets a few rules at the outset and number one is never work harder than 30% -- no sweating, no hard breathing, no risking injury. Rule number two is to just enjoy yourself.

“This is a celebration,” he tells his students. “We will learn movements to renew our immune system, kidneys, liver, and lymph.” He emphasizes it’s is not a fix but rather an awareness of and a gratefulness for those organs’ functions. “Movement is a celebration of a healthy body,” says Wei. “Stillness is a celebration of a healthy spirit.” Each class is dedicated to both.

“Look at life as a party,” says Wei. His simple, positive, yet profound teachings have students wanting more. “There will always be uncertainty. Regardless of what is going on in the world or in one’s life, choose to live gratefully and joyfully. Sing. Dance. Enjoy.”

Wei will be leading new classes starting on March 20, 2021. To register for his classes, go here https://www.ebparks.org/activities/wellness_and_fitness_programs.htm.

Nannette Vides, Zumba instructor in the virtual program, agrees. She is the CEO of Workouttemps and her company’s motto is “Life is but a Recess! Enjoy it always.” Vides’ Hispanic heritage and rich background in cultural dance inspired her to find purpose by creating a company that promotes joy through dance, fitness and mindfulness classes because “everyone needs recess, especially now.”

“Zumba is often compared to a natural high,” says Vides. Its combination of cultural dances set to positive, inspiring music done in a group setting, even virtually, keeps people connected and can combat loneliness. And it’s no secret that exercise improves circulation, strengthens the heart and reduces the risk of chronic disease.

Vides says many students report that Zumba helps release tension and reduces stress as the dance workout releases feel-good endorphins that instantly uplift moods. As with any fun form of physical activity, people are more apt to do it because they love it and the added benefit is a healthier body, clearer mind and stronger balance.

Vides invites anyone to participate in her two remaining Zoom classes through the Multicultural Virtual Program: Saturday March 13 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday, March 17 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. To register for the classes, go to https://www.ebparks.org/activities/wellness_and_fitness_programs.htm.

“Mi Gente Vamos! Bailamos Juntos!” says Vides. “Dance is our medicine.”

Please check the EBRPD calendar for future classes by these two highly acclaimed instructors, among other types of wellness classes on the website at https://www.ebparks.org/activities/wellness_and_fitness_programs.htm.

All classes are free, easy to log into and participants would agree, very enjoyable. And enjoyment is the main goal. As both Wei and Vides say, if you’re committed to simply enjoying yourself, the mind and body benefits will come naturally.