Summer Programs for those 55 years and better begin in July at Silver Threads Service. With two locations in Victoria and Saanich, there is a wide variety of registered and one-time programs and workshops to inspire and support health and wellness. Six different Gentle and Chair Yoga Classes are offered weekly. Taking time to focus on gentle stretching and breathing will improve your mobility and reduce stress. Nine different Functional Fitness Classes are available for anyone who may be starting out or who already exercises regularly to increase strength and flexibility.
New this summer is the Better Balance Workshop at the Victoria Centre. Join Medical Exercise Specialist Roz Beddall for a 7-week program designed to improve your balance and prevent falls. The class is on Mondays, from 11:15am to 12:15pm.
Dance Classes at the Saanich Centre include Line Dance for beginners and Intermediate
and Zumba Gold. Or how about Essentrics? A full body workout that focuses on opening the connective tissue through flowing movements.
But if you are on the fence about joining a centre like Silver Threads, consider popping in for our Monthly Socials, have a coffee and snack, chat with a few new people and pick up a summer program guide. Socials are Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Victoria hosts on July 16th and Saanich hosts on July 23rd.
Our Summer Guide is available at our Centres and online www. silverthreads.ca There are many more great classes, socials, presentations, and out trips.
Silver Threads Service has been serving the community for 67 years.
Our Saanich Centre is located at 286 Hampton Road, in the Tillicum Gorge neighbourhood and can be reached at 250-382-3151.
Our Victoria Centre is located at 1911 Quadra Street, near the Police Station and can be reached at 250-388-4268.
The Summer 2024 Program Guide is now available at our Centres and on our website: www.silverthreads.ca
Parlez Vous Francais? SAANICH CENTRE
Nous sommes un nouveau groupe de conversation française. Un niveau de français intermédiaire ou plus est requis pour participer à ce programme. Venez vous joindre à ce groupe de francophones pour rencontrer d’autres personnes qui parlent français, faire de nouveaux amis, discuter de sujets variés, rire, et s’amuser ensemble.
Date: Wednesdays July 10th to August 14th
Time: 10:00am to 11:00am
Cost: 6/ $24 members, $42 non-members
Facilitator: Louise Thauvette
Summer Art with Anne-Marie
VICTORIA CENTRE
Join Anne-Marie for a 6-week exploration of various artistic techniques and materials. Try your hand at tempera, watercolour, and pastels. No skills or art knowledge is required, come to have fun! Supplies included.
Dates: Mondays, July 15th to August 26th
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am
Cost: 6/ $60 members, $84 non-members
Leader: Anne-Marie Fortin
Beginner Ukulele
The Synergistic Benefits of Sauna and Massage
If you have never tried a massage, it’s an e ective and natural way to achieve immediate stress relief and a profound sense of relaxation. The gentle pressure and rhythmic strokes from a skilled massage therapist help reduce tension, alleviate pain, and promote muscle healing. Massage stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which enhances your mood and emotional well-being. As well, massage therapy increases blood circulation and reduces muscle sti ness, contributing to overall physical health, making massage a deeply e ective practice for both mental and physical rejuvenation. Aside from all the science, it feels great to give yourself a break! NOW imagine taking that massage experience up a notch with the added benefits of sauna. Combining sauna with massages o ers a nice synergy that enhances physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Both practices independently give you numerous health benefits, and when paired together, their e ects are magnified, creating an optimal environment for relaxation, detoxification, and overall health improvement.
Enhanced Detoxification & Circulation
Saunas are renown for their ability to promote detoxification through sweating. The heat of a sauna – usually around 90 degrees Celsius – causes the body to sweat profusely, which helps eliminate toxins and impurities from the skin and bloodstream. This process improves blood circulation and
enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. When you follow a sauna with a massage, your warmed-up and relaxed muscles allow for a deeper and more e ective manipulation of muscle tissues, which can help your body more easily release toxins and metabolic waste.
Superior Muscle Relaxation & Pain Relief
Another element that guests at RITUAL mention, is that the heat from a sauna relaxes their muscles and reduces tension, preparing them to receive a more e ective massage. This makes it easier for massage therapists to work on deeper muscle layers without causing discomfort. The combination helps alleviate muscle soreness, reduce sti ness, and relieve pain more e ciently than either therapy alone. Athletes and individuals with chronic pain or muscle tension can particularly benefit from this powerful combination.
Improved Mental & Emotional Well-being
Saunas and massages are both excellent stress relievers. The tranquil environment of a sauna promotes mental relaxation and reduces stress hormones. Following this with a massage can enhance these e ects, providing a sense of calm and emotional balance. The release of endorphins during both treatments contributes to improved mood and overall mental well-being. At RITUAL we call it a “Combo” and find that it’s one of our more popular bookings, all year round.
RITUAL Nordic Spa is an urban sauna house in downtown Victoria, o ering Swedish and Therapeutic massage. Combo treatments include one hour of Nordic Circuit with sauna, steam, cold plunge, Nordic bucket shower, salt lounge and outdoor patios. A healthy way to boost overall health and wellbeing. All you need is your swimsuit! Learn more at: RitualNordicSpa.com
my favorite ways to enjoy travel while staying healthy.
1. Embrace the Local Lifestyle
Many tourist traps are also filled with a lot of junk food, or highly novel items that don’t really o er a lot nutritionally to the body. While those things can be a fun treat… I’ve found it’s best to live like a local when visiting somewhere new! There are so many amazing and exotic flavors to be explored, and many traditional cuisines use whole foods which are packed with nutritional value. Look for smaller authentic restaurants and bakeries that use real ingredients.
My favorite from Portugal was the pastel de nata– an egg custard tart that is worth the 14 hour flight in and of itself.
2. Explore on Foot
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in a culture than to walk around and see what you find. With the quality of maps available at your fingertips with a smartphone, you’ll never get lost, and you’ll get your steps in and
3. Bring your Supplements
Make sure you’re getting good nutrient support by bringing along your supplements, especially a high quality multivitamin, and a probiotic to support good gut health on the go. A magnesium supplement is also great to help with travel stress and fuelling good sleep.
4. Stay Hydrated
Be sure to keep drinking water while you’re traveling– especially important to avoid the dreaded vacation constipation. Look for bottled spring water, and bring some electrolyte packets along with you to help your cells receive that hydration. It’s easy to forget when you’re on the go and outside of your usual routine, so set guideposts around mealtimes or alarms on your phone to remember to drink up.
5. Beat the Stress
Ever return from a vacation feeling like you need a vacation? Build some stress busting time into your travel plans. Consider taking an extra day to adjust to time zones on either side, or planning some down time to recharge. Download your favorite meditation tracks to listen to on the flight and take advantage of some time for peace.
6. Watch Your Alcohol and Sugar Intake
While I’m all for having a good time, it can be easy to go overboard when on holidays. Limit your alcohol and sugar intake and your body, especially your liver, will thank you! Look for other ways to have fun and enjoy your surroundings, you may be surprised by what you find and notice it’s easier to be present without these quick hits of dopamine.
7. Put the Phone Down I know you want to take
but remember that you don’t need to experience the trip through the lens of your iPhone. Try to limit screen time, and document key moments while allowing plenty of space to just…be.
8. Try to Stick to Your Morning and Evening Routine
It’s easy to get totally caught up in the di erent culture or environment, but wherever possible, and wherever nourishing, creating some consistency to lay your health foundations with your morning and evening routines can go a long way in setting you up for a healthy day and a healthy sleep. Eat your breakfast, have your evening walk. Make the adjustments fun, but keep what is
DR. MARITA SCHAUCH, BSC. ND, IS A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN WITH A PRACTICE AT TALL TREE INTEGRATED HEALTH CENTRE, 5325 CORDOVA BAY RD., MATTICK’S FARM PH: 250-658-9222 DOCTORMARITA.COM
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