Athens YWCO

Meet Your Instructor Monday - Lynn My name is Lynn Halverson and I teach Adult Ballet Barre at the YWCO. I have been teaching at the Y for the last two years and I am thrilled to support people on their self-care journey. I leave my class every Tuesday thankful for the time I spend with such excellent people doing what we love together! I have studied ballet for over twenty years - along with tap, jazz, and modern dance. In my other life, I worked professionally as a perform...er both nationally and locally. I was stationed in New York City for thirteen years where I worked in regional theater, summer stock, and on and off-Broadway. I am trained in Music Theater and voice performance (BM from Florida State University) and I have a masters of education in Instructional Design and Technology (M.Ed. from the University of West Georgia). Teaching is my favorite vocation. My first teaching job was for Athens Creative Theatre when I was sixteen! I also enjoy doing and teaching energy work. I am a certified facilitator of Feng Shui, Reiki, Meditation, and Energy Clearing. For my day job, I work for the University System of Georgia Board of Regents as a Senior Business Analyst in Enterprise Service Management. I am also a single mom, with one college graduate, my son Alex, who finished his degree in Business Administration at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, and my daughter, Audrey, who is working on her degree in Equine Business Management at Murray State University in Kentucky. I live with my silver sneakers mom and my beloved furry kids, Tony and Xena. After spending twenty years doing aerobics with Vivian Smith, we got the rescue bug and rescued our pit bull, Xena. My dogs have saved me during the pandemic, as they are my daily Zoom business partners as I telework from home. I have faithfully attended YWCO classes for over 20 years and have made lifelong friends at Y. Fitness is a huge part of my life! I am also an avid tennis player, having been part of many local COTA teams. Perhaps the most unique thing about me is that I don’t look like a ballet teacher I am a plus-size gal. All ages and types are welcome in my ballet class. Ballet is good for the body and soul. My class meets on Tuesday at 5:30 pm. I hope you will come join us, even if you have never danced before or think you can’t, COME, we have a great time. I will work with you to meet your goals no stress, no judgement just fun and fitness! Here is a great picture of my YWCOers feet, we talked about the smiley faces keeping the feet turned out and they showed up the next class sporting these wonderful stickers and socks! See more

The YWCO is teaming up with Wellness and Health Coach, Lisa Williamson to offer a FREE workshop: The Well Life Vision: Finding Your WHY to Wellness Description: Achieving wellness is more than just exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep. This program will explore what motivates you to be well. You'll learn how to craft your own Well Life Visonna and how personal values, favorite pastimes, and future hopes and dreams can be used to leverage your inn...er strength to create a more well life. Join us to find your WY to wellness! Date: Saturday, February 13 Time: 11AM-12PM Registration: To register, email [email protected]. A Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

The YWCO pool will be closed for the month of February while the bottom of the pool is resurfaced. While the pool is closed our water instructors are offering "Water to Land" Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1:00 Arthritis Exercise with Mary... Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 TerraFit with Lauren Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 ChairMaster with Christina For class descriptions: https://ywco.squarespace.com/aquatics-classes

New Year New Goals Get Started today! Schedule of classes: www.ywco.org

We have a new guard in the lifeguard chair today...

We close at 5:00 p.m. today. Have a safe New Year's Eve. We are closed on New Year's Day.

The YWCO welcomes Winterville Dental as Recreation Sponsor for 2021. Winterville Dental

Meet Your Instructor Monday - Patti I've been teaching Aquatic Exercise here at the YWCO for eight years. I became AEA certified in 2013 after taking a class with my Mom, Anna Miller, and realized how much fun it was to be back in the pool. I had taken a break from Aquatics after getting married, traveling, and having children. My earliest memories of enjoying the water were as a 4-year-old in El Paso Texas. I was raised in a military family and we all enjoyed water acti...vities. I've swum in lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and swimming pools. Water was part of my DNA. When my family moved to Ft. Monmouth NJ, I became a lifeguard at the Officer's Club and the Base Field House. After graduating H.S I continued working as a Recreation Assistant/Lifeguard for the Base while going to College for Business. During this time, I became certified in teaching swimming, lifeguarding, water safety, first aid/CPR, and became an age group USSA Swim coach and for the West Point Prep School. I became Aquatic Director for the Base and oversaw all aquatic activities that were needed. I was a water junkie. I really loved that job and enjoyed every challenge that it presented. Then I met the man of my dreams and became a military wife. We retired here in Athens in 2004 to be close to my extended family. So, I came full circle back to my favorite activity. All things water!! I love helping and teaching others to enjoy Water Exercise. I try to make it as fun as possible and love all of my students. It really is the fountain of youth and the best exercise for aging bodies. I'm glad I have this opportunity to do this for you! Keep on Splashing!

The Adult Ballet Barre that is on the schedule today at 5:30 has been cancelled.

The 5:30p Ballet class will not meet today, Tuesday, January 19. Lynn will be back next week.

No classes this week. The pool, weight room, and trail are open for use. Classes begin again on Monday, January 4.

This is a reminder... The YWCO closes at 5:00p.m. this afternoon and will be closed Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day. We re-open Saturday, December 26 at 8:00 a.m.

Blessings during this holiday season.

Give the Gift of Health this year... $99 for a 3 month YWCO Individual Membership Available at the YWCO front desk.

Pop-up Stretch Class with Becky Tuesday, December 22 9:00 a.m. Come dressed in comfy clothes that allow stretching. Bring a mat. We will be going to the floor.

Own a piece of YWCO Camp Camp Stool Exhibit - November 4 - 20 Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Camp Stool Online Auction - November 16 - 20 at biddingowl.com/ywco Today's Featured Camp Stool: all seeing eye ... Artist: Sara Cook Sarah Cook Creations Artist Inspiration: ~the all seeing eye and the uroborus ~ symbol of infinity - we are seen* Athens Ywco Camp @Athens YWCO Camp Alums

Own a piece of YWCO Camp Camp Stool Exhibit - November 4 - 20 OCAF (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation) Camp Stool Online Auction - November 16 - 20 at biddingowl.com/ywco Today's Featured Camp Stool: Under the Sunflower... Artist: V Yvonne Studevan Artist Inspiration: The artwork was inspired after a painting session with Athens Plein Air Painters in a field of sunflowers on Barnett Shoals Road. The sunflowers were tall, vibrant, and majestic. Tiny purple flowers were sprinkled among them. Yvonne was a former YWCO Board Member. Athens Ywco Camp Athens YWCO Camp Alums The Oconee Enterprise

Tai Chi is meeting today at 1:00. See you soon!

We are having a raffle for a wonderful bag full of goodies from Trader Joe's. Buy tickets at the YWCO between December 1 and noon, December 18. Drawing will be held on December 18. $1 for 1 ticket $5 for 6 tickets $10 for 12 tickets $20 for 25 tickets Purchase tickets at the YWCO front desk. ... Thank you, Traders Joe's for the donation! #TraderJoe's Gift bag includes: Organic Popcorn, Caramel Corn, Plantain Chips, Cheesy Crackers, Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend, Sugar Plum Sparkling Beverage, Mini Peanut Butter Fill Pretzel Nuggets, Salsa Autentica, Trek Mix, Savory Thin Crackers, Penne Rigate Pasta, Trail Mix, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Roasted Garlic Marinara, Pretzel Slims, Pita Bite Crackers, Blueberry Bars, Organic Corn Chip Dippers, Hand Sanitizer Spray (Grapefruit & Lemon, Lavender Chamomile Hand Soap, Hand & Body Cream.

The pool is back open!

Jamie's 4:30 classes are canceled Monday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 1. Lynn's 5:30 Ballet class on Tuesday, December 1 is canceled.

The pool is closed temporarily. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We will keep you updated.

Own a piece of YWCO Camp Camp Stool Exhibit - November 4 - 20 OCAF Camp Stool Online Auction - November 16 - 20 at biddingowl.com/ywco Today's Featured Camp Stool: Homage to Marcel Duchamp Artist: Morgan King... Artist Inspiration: Inspired by Marcel Duchamp's "Bicycle Wheel", this stool is made from reclaimed bicycle parts and sprayed with metallic paint. https://artsearch.nga.gov.au/detail.cfm?IRN=49305 Athens YWCO Camp Alums Athens Ywco Camp

Own a piece of YWCO Camp Camp Stool Exhibit - November 4 - 20 OCAF Camp Stool Online Auction - November 16 - 20 Today's Featured Camp Stool: "We are all Wonder Woman!" Artist: Bryn Adamson Description: Mixed media - collage, epoxy, glitter, sequins, and stickers.... The Camp Stool Online Auction supports YWCO Girls Club and "We are all Wonder Woman" is very representative of our goal of giving girls from low-income families opportunities (both educationally and recreationally) to grow and reach for the stars. Girls Club is designed to offer opportunities for girls to try new things, learn about themselves, and make friendships that last forever. We accomplish this in a healthy and safe environment, stressing positive interaction among the girls, counselors, and staff. Bryn, thank you for the reminder that there is a Wonder Woman in all of us! Bryn Adamson Athens YWCO Camp Alums Athens Ywco Camp

Own a piece YWCO Camp Camp Stool Exhibit - November 4 - 20 OCAF Camp Stool Online Auction - November 16 - 20 Today's Featured Camp Stool: Shalom Artist: Lilli Sams... We asked Lilli to describe the inspiration for her camp stool: " 'Shalom' is Hebrew and it means peace. It's a peace that every human longs for but can only get from God Himself. Everyone has a hole or a pit inside of them that they desperately want to fill. We are all made for something else, something bigger than us. Sadly, many people are quick to look for treatments but quicker to dismiss God. But He is the only one who can bring us to completion or wholeness in Him." We appreciate Lilli sharing her words of peace and her talent for this special project. Athens YWCO Camp Alums

Own a piece YWCO Camp Camp Stool Online Auction - November 16 - 20 Camp Stool Exhibit - November 4 - 20 OCAF... Today's Featured Camp Stool: YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE Artist: Paula Williams Paula Williams has a special tie to the Camp Stool Project having served as the camp nurse at Athens Ywco Camp in the Mountains. So when we contacted her about painting one of the camp stools she was excited to have the opportunity. When asked about the design of her stool she said, "I let my imagination run wild. I love sunflowers. The stool is light-hearted and fun!" (hmmm, kind of like camp?) Thank you, Paula, for once again sharing your talents with the YWCO! Athens YWCO Camp Alums YWCO Summer Girls

Busy day at the YWCO - United Way Day of Caring. Thank you, Caterpillar, Sherwin-Williams, and Greenwood for all your work around the YW today!

Own a Piece of YWCO Camp... From November 4th 20th, an art exhibit at OCAF (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation) in Watkinsville, will feature 22 stools from the YWCO girls’residential camp. The YWCO reached out to local artists and asked them to turn the camp stools into works of art. Members of the community, former Y campers, and friends of the YWCO will have an opportunity to purchase the camp stools during an online silent auction benefiting the YWCO Summer Girls Club.... The online auction will be held November 16th- 20th. https://www.biddingowl.com/YWCO Kitty Meyran, CEO of the YWCO, and former YWCOJennie Arnold Edwards camper and counselor, came up with the idea for the CampStool Project when it became apparent the YWCO would have to postpone its fall MurderMystery Dinner fundraiser until sometime in 2021due to COVID-19. Girls who attended YWCO Summer Camp either at the Jennie Arnold Edwards Camp on Jennings Mill Road, or the YWCO Camp in Habersham County have fond memories of the camp stools, which were brought back to Athens when the YWCO sold the camp in Habersham County. The camp stools were perfect for plopping down to visit with friends, climbing on to reach atop bunk, standing on to get everyone’s attention, sitting on during arts &crafts, and so much more. Patti Smith, local artist, and former Y camper volunteered to share her artistry and vision for two of the stools saying, These old stools hold so many of my sweetest memories, and they will be painted with all the love in my heart. We are excited to be working with OCAFDirector, La Ruchala Murphy, who not only is one of the participating artists but also is helping stage the Camp Stool Project exhibit at OCAF, said Meylan. OCAF is located at 34 SchoolStreet in Watkinsville. The exhibit is free. Proceeds from the silent auction support YWCO Girls Club, an educational and recreational summer day camp for girls from low-income families. The YWCO, a non-profit health, and recreation center has been an Athens fixture for over 100 years, offering fitness and aquatics programming for all ages, in addition to enriching summer day camp opportunities for hundreds of children. More about the YWCO at ywco.org. List of Local Artists Participating: Bryn Adamson, Diane Barret, Jamie Calkin, Laci Camp, Sarah Cook Creations, Laurel Genteman, Camille Hayes, Heidi Hensley ART, Barbara Houze, Morgan King, Anne Lane, Sharon Duffy Michael, @LaRuchula Murphy, Ann Peden, Dianne Penny-Wilson, Jesse Prather, Lilli Sams, Patty Smith, Yvonne Studevan, Sam Thurmond, Paula Williams, Kate Windley # # # See more

Meet Your Instructor Monday Martha Pre-pandemic Martha taught Zumba at the YW on a limited basis, but during this pandemic, Martha has been very busy. Martha completed her teaching certifications for Gentle Pilates and Gentle Flow Yoga. She also began running This March, at age 50, I started running! ... Each time I laced up my shoes, I braced myself for mental or physical discomfort. As a remedy, every evening I practiced yoga for at least as many minutes as I ran that day. With time, I became more comfortable and enjoyed the new strength I found in my body. I have pledged to run a 5K every month and have done so since June. On August 15th, I ran the Maxeys Model Mile 5K and PLACED FIRST in age my group! Join Martha for Gentle Flow Yoga on Thursday at noon to restore and strengthen for your active lifestyle. Gentle Pilates meets at noon on Tuesday and at 12:50 on Friday. Martha teaches Zumba on at noon on Friday. Come to as many classes as you want each week with a YWCO membership!

Not quite ready to come indoors for class? We have several classes that are taught outside: Boot Camp with Vivian Tuesday & Friday 8:30a. Tai Chi with Michele Friday 11:00a... Come check them out next week!

Wish we could all be together again this year to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness at the YWCO. It is always fun to see so many people around the YWCO wearing pink and honoring their friends and family members who have been affected by breast cancer. You can still wear pink this year.... * give yourself an extra star if you work out wearing pink next week * if you are coming to the YWCO for classes or to use the pool or weight room, next week, wear pink one day... * tell us who you wear pink for in the comments below... See more