Since 2012, the East Bay Regional Park District has organized six Multicultural Wellness Walks annually, with each walk attracting an average of 140 participants aged two to eighty-plus. They represent the diverse communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

The last wellness walk in the parks this year was held on February 29, just before the pandemic started. More than one hundred people attended the walk, including myself. One of the reasons the East Bay Parks organized the wellness walks was to create connectedness and friendship among people of different cultural groups. Every walk I attended was very enjoyable and inspiring.

Since the start of the pandemic the multicultural walks have been suspended. In response to the restrictions on in-person gatherings, East Bay Parks recently created a series of virtual Wellness and Fitness programs for the month of December. I have joined several classes, which left me feeling fantastic after each class. I exercise at home every day and go for walks every day, but it was so nice to see some familiar faces on the virtual events (people I met on the multicultural walks in the parks). The classes are live, so I felt connected with the other attendees – a much different feeling than following a video on YouTube.

In one of the classes, Tai Chi instructor David Wei guided us through a series of easy breathing exercises to strengthen our lungs and boost our immune system. In another class, Vince Hall, CEO at My Peak Fitness guided us through easy movements to strengthen our core muscle group to prevent low back pain. Liz Nichols, yoga instructor, delivered a very creative yoga class for families, catered especially for kids. She guided us in a fun way with story-telling in how to do easy yoga poses. I believe kids would love this class but it is a good start for anyone who is curious about yoga.

A few more classes are planned for the rest of December: Stretches to increase flexibility, yoga for kids and families, and Zumba, which will be in Spanish. Like the Multicultural Wellness Walks, all of these classes are designed to promote activity, reduce stress and create community and connections.

Classes are virtual, free and a lot of fun. For more information go to https://visionhispanausa.com/vida-al-aire-libre-parques-este-de-la-bahia/programas-multiculturales-bienestar-ejercicio