Dr. Kenneth and Dr. Tyler Cooper in Nanjing, China (Courtesy of: Cooper Aerobics)

Dallas-based Cooper Aerobics Health and Wellness Center, a nonprofit research and education organization for preventive medicine, recently opened its first China location in Nanjing. Cooper founder Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Cooper President and CEO Tyler Cooper, and Senior Vice President of Business Development Keith Blue, executive leaders at Cooper, attended the opening ceremony.

The health and wellness organization opened an international location in order to help the people of China achieve good health by 2030. According to the Cooper center, more than 300 million Chinese citizens are now obese, with diabetes becoming an epidemic in the East Asian country.

They include: a welcome zone, including Coopers history and mantra; a learning zone, including certification courses and fitness programs; a testing zone, with physical and wellness evaluation equipment; a mini-Cooper zone, featuring Coopers business model for partners and investors; an experience zone, where the fitness center is located; a nutrition zone, where members can learn about healthy living; and the Cooper HUB, where members can gather in a co-working space.

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Cooper Aerobics Health and Wellness Opens Nanjing Location - D Healthcare Daily

The Tomah Aquatic Center will host water aerobics classes this summer.

Based on participation from last year, the program has been expanded to two nights per week. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:15 -6 p.m., starting June 20 with the final class Aug. 17 (no classes July 27 and Aug 1.) The cost is $3 per class.

Instructors are Deana Protz and Cathy Coffey.

Protz said the classes are low-impact and easily tailored to individual fitness levels. She said anyone can benefit from water exercise, regardless of age or agility.

Participants can work as hard or as easy as fits their fitness level, Protz said.

Classes are taught in the shallow end of the pool with some optional cool down exercises in the deep end.

Theres nothing better than a water workout on a summer evening, Coffey said.

For more information, call the city of Tomah Parks and Recreation Department at 608-374-7445.

Excerpt from:

Water aerobics begins June 20 at Tomah Aquatic Center - La Crosse Tribune

Posted June 19, 2017 13:00:09

Bobbing bodies of various ages and shapes took to the waters of Townsville's Kokoda pool yesterday to try to sink the world record for the largest aqua aerobics class.

The north Queensland city's Guinness World record attempt attracted 159 participants, which was not sufficient to pip the record of 250 (held by Mexico) but it did beat the previous Australian record.

"So we are now the national record holders, so we are the best in Australia by about 70 so that was good," said attempt organiser Christie Love.

"So they tried it down south and they didn't get more than 90 and that was an indoor pool, so I am definitely happy with 159."

Participant Sandra Davey said the workout was not too strenuous and the class was a terrific opportunity to develop a sense of community.

"I think events like this is how you build and grow a community," Ms Davey said.

"The number of conversations that were going on, it was almost like new friends were being made as well as participating in an event that is good for us."

Northern Queensland boasts several Guinness World Records: Innisfail holds the record for the longest banana split, Townsville for the most people wearing sock puppets.

Aqua aerobics is a popular sport in Townsville. Ms Love said the Kokoda pool alone holds 12 classes a week, which each attract more than 40 participants.

Despite an ambient temperature of 28 degrees and a water temperature of 33 degrees, Ms Love thought Townsville's winter weather may have kept some participants away.

"Maybe because we had it in winter we just didn't get the numbers so maybe we will try it again in September when it will be a bit warmer," Ms Love said.

"But at the end of the day it is a community thing and we are still the highest now in Australia."

Topics: offbeat, sport, swimming, community-and-society, townsville-4810, innisfail-4860

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Townsville plunges into Australian record books with mega aqua aerobics class - ABC Online

Before every Pony Sweat class, Emilia Richeson reminds the group gathered at her L.A. dance aerobics studiothat Pony Sweat is fiercely noncompetitive. With the ground rules set, shekicks out the jams and embarks on an hourlong class of body-positive, dance-based aerobics that would make Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons proud. Thats exactly what Richeson was aiming for when she started Pony Sweat out of her bedroom back in 2014. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I always loved aerobics, and have always been a big fan of a lot of 80s bands, so there was already an aesthetic that is close my heart, the 34-year-old dance instructortells Fast Company.Richard Simmons was always a role model in my family.

Richeson, a queer punk ray of sunshine, according to a press release, started attending Simmonss dance classes when she first moved to L.A. in 2006.Hes been such a huge influence on me. He created an inclusive space for people to express joy through dance, says Richeson. It was so powerful watching people open up and share where theywere at, what they were struggling with, and then all of us dancing together.

Richeson used exercise as a way to battle her depression, but she struggled to find a workout routine that she enjoyed, especially since Simmons had retired from his studio. A few friends encouraged her to come up with her own dance aerobics routine instead, and soon Pony Sweat was born. Pony Sweat the class came from a real need for connection and inspiration, she explains. Dancing to music I love makes me like being in my body.I want to offer a safe space for folks that feel that way, too.

She started putting on a weekly class of high-energy aerobic workouts soundtracked by a mix that ranges from the Cure to Santigold to Nine Inch Nails, Robyn, Prince, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and posting on Instagram about her #danceaerobicsisforfeminists.It was meant to be a venue for friends to come together and sweat it out to music we loved, she says. Eventually, folks started telling other folks, and I started teaching more classes to more people!

Her inclusive classes (Its for EveryBody, she says) have spread throughout Los Angeles as exercise junkies look for a way to whip up a sweat while having fun.

But dont call it a majorbusiness enterprise yet. Richeson is adamant that Pony Sweat is and will remain a labor of love, built on a punk/DIY ethos. She is also generally opposed to the idea of fitness as a money-making industry. It makes us feel like the next trendy workoutwill be the solution to achieving idealized body types that are sexist and racist, and promote the oppression of folks outside that ideal,' she says.

She adds that the promise to new instructors and trainers of immediate steady income is not always realistic, and that can put pressure on instructors to see financial gain as their only metric for success. That said, she is slowly and organically growing Pony Sweat. Shecurrently teaches classes at three locations, hosting 10-45 students per class, and is training a new teacher to help expand further.She is also hoping to reach people outside of the Los Angeles area, particularly in places where body-positive alternatives dont yet exist.

That mission isdirectly fromthe heart of the Pony Sweats everyone-is-welcome ethos. I want it to be a space for anyone who wants to belong to it, says Richeson, adding thattheres no experience necessary to get in on the fun. Pony Sweat is apractice in im-perfection, which I think is a very radical and necessary thing for us to practice.

In the meantime, shes launching her first official workout video,Pony Sweat: Volume 1. The nearly hourlong video will let people around the world throw on their favorite leotards and leg warmers and channel their inner Jane Fondas in their own living rooms while working out to Richesons routine. If sweating to the beat isnt your thing, though, Richeson doesnt mind. I hope everyone finds a way to like being in their body,she says.I think that moving your body is the best way in, so whatever way that is for youdo that!

Melissa Locker is a writer and world renowned fish telepathist.

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Pony Sweat Is Dance Aerobics For The Body-Positive Era - Fast Company

There was a point in my life when I was fully able to support my body weight. Aged eight, I came home from school and proudly showed my mother my blistered palms, having conquered all 10 monkey bars. I was flexible, too, and you'd often find me bending into a "crab" position during school lunchtimes.

Somewhere along the way, I lost the desire to fold backwards instantaneously - despite it being a real crowd-pleaser - and while I have dabbled in pull-ups at the gym, it's usually with the knee rest as an aid.

But then I noticed aerial aerobics classes cropping up on social media and on posters at the gym, and felt that old childlike hunger to bend, lift and fly through the air.

I got in touch with Flying Fantastic, set up in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Chris and Edel Wigan. The pair launched their own studio after returning from a year in Argentina. "It's very normal to do an aerial class over there," explains Edel. "But when we came back, we found there wasn't really anything similar."

At the time, aerial aerobics was available only as a 12-week course or a degree, but the Wigans wanted to offer more accessible drop-in classes. "Coming at it from a fitness angle, the emphasis is on how it helps your body and makes you stronger."

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Aerial aerobics: for a strong core, take to the skies - Telegraph.co.uk

OAKHURST Peggy Decker-Anderson reminds locals and visitors that Aqua Aerobics is happening at the Baker Swim Complex at Yosemite High School.

Classes are Monday through Friday from 8 to 9 a.m. through August 11th. The cost is $4 a day, $10 a week or $30 a month.*

See ya at the pool, says Peggy, who is returning as instructor for the sixth year.

Click here for the Aqua Aerobics schedules in PDF form.

The pool opened on Saturday, June 10 for the season, and the regular hours are Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday its 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A Day Pass for anyone over a year old is $4 per person before 5 p.m. and $3 per person after 5 p.m. Theres a senior discount price of $3.50. Monthly, the cost is $40 per person each month or $80 per person for the season.

A family pass is available for $140 for up to 4 people, additional people are $20 per person up to six members. Lost wristbands can be replaced for $4 each.Admission fees are for swimmers only. Cash and checks are accepted.

The last day of the season is Saturday, Aug. 11.

More information on the Baker Swim Complex at Yosemite High School here.

*Pool Gnome not included.

Continued here:

Aqua Aerobics! Don't Forget About The Pool - Sierra News Online (press release) (registration) (blog)

ASHEBORO The Asheboro Cultural and Recreation Services Department is gearing up for water aerobics classes for adults throughout the upcoming summer.

Classes are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Memorial Pool, 321 Lanier Ave., Asheboro, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

All classes will be taught by Mary Fisher during regularly scheduled Adult Swim hours, where the cost of admission is $1 for adults with a valid RecCard, $1.75 for non-residents and free for those with a senior citizen RecCard.

The class will focus on low-impact exercises in the water, great for conditioning and rehabilitating muscles in a fun and unique setting. The pool is also handicapped accessible, so adults of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate.

Classes will begin on Monday, June 19, and run for the duration of the 2017 pool season, ending on Friday, Aug. 11. For more information, contact Cynthia Castle at 336-626-1240, ext. 5, or ccastle@ci.asheboro.nc.us.

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Adult water aerobics classes begin June 19 - Asheboro Courier Tribune

Iran has banned women from dancing, cycling, watching soccer matches, listening to certain music and now Zumba.

Thats right. The Islamic Republics Shiite leaders announced this week that, under religious law, the 17-year-old Colombian dance aerobics craze is forbidden.

Ali Majdara, the head of public sports in Iran, issued a statement Sunday banning Zumba and any harmonious movement or body shaking instruction. The ban applies to public and private gyms, clubs and classes. The announcement came just days after Majdaras Iran Sport for All federation provoked an outcry on Twitter by calling for the ban.

Critics took to Twitter as well, but to express displeasure and dismay using the Persian language hashtag #Zumba. Has Colombia summoned the Iranian ambassador yet? one Twitter user joked.

Unbelievable, said Zumba teacher Sepideh Abozari. The authorities are worried about a Zumba pandemic?

Tehran-based cleric Hossain Ghayyomi explained the reasoning behind the ban.

Any harmonious movement or rhythmic exercise, if it is for pleasure seeking, is haram, forbidden under Shiite leaders interpretation of Islam, Ghayyomi said. Even jobs related to these rhythmic movements are haram. For instance, since Islam says dancing or music is haram, then renting a place to teach dancing or cutting wood to make musical instruments is haram too.

While some have tried to justify teaching or listening to music as legal under Islamic law in Iran, he said, They could not change the mainstream of the clerical establishment.

Theres also the fear among religious leaders that Zumba is corrupting Iranian men, who can watch videos of classes posted online. Some Iranian Zumba instructors videos already have been deemed pornographic and blocked by authorities since the ban.

As Zumba has spread to more than 180 countries, it has been banned by other conservative Muslim leaders for being un-Islamic, including by a fatwa, or religious edict, in parts of Malaysia.

But Irans ban comes at a time when the dance fitness trend has gone mainstream here. In Tehran and other large cities, most public and private gyms offer womens Zumba classes. Many women, whose exercise opportunities already have been curtailed by the state, were aghast at the Zumba ban.

Abozari said the classes are incredibly popular, not just among wealthy women, but also among the middle class and the poor.

Even in low-income areas on the outskirts of Tehran where I live ... women pay as much as a month cash subsidy to participate in Zumba class to keep fit in body and mind and tune in to the happy rhythm, said Abozari, 38, who teaches Zumba in her spare time to children too poor to pay for lessons.

At issue isnt just womens rights, she said: Its about the economy. She noted that middle-class and wealthy women in north Tehran often pay for private Zumba classes at home, and those jobs where pay is negotiable and usually generous will now disappear.

Malihe Agheli, 38, a mother of two who works at a bank in Tehran, said the gym at her office already refused to offer Zumba or other rhythmic workouts. She has been paying a steep price, $50 for eight private classes a month. While Zumba classes still may be offered underground, she said, After being banned, it will be more expensive.

Zohre Safavizadeh, who has taken Zumba classes at her Tehran gym in the past, likes the music and the ambiance.

I feel wonderful the body rhythm and the music in background are fascinating, she said.

But as often happens in Iran, theres a political element, even with Zumba. Safavizadeh sees the ban as a backlash by hard-liners to the reelection last month of moderate President Hassan Rouhani.

The hard-liners want to undo what was promised by President Rouhani, she said, and as a result, We as women are deprived small happiness.

Rouhani won after promising to unite Iran. But terrorist attacks by Islamic State militants in the capital this month that killed 17 people gave hard-line Shiite leaders an opening to crack down. Some analysts said the Zumba ban may be the beginning of efforts by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other hard-liners to reexert influence and sideline Rouhani.

Tehran-based analyst Nader Karimi Juni wasnt optimistic that Rouhani will make much headway against the supreme leaders bans, including Zumba.

For the supreme leader, America and Israel are archenemies, the eternal foes, Juni said. So whatever lifestyle, tastes or athletic activities are associated with what he calls corrupted Western culture is haram and should be banned.

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A Palestinian village was annexed by Israel after the 1967 war. Now it's behind a wall and orphaned

More here:

Iran bans women's Zumba aerobics classes - Los Angeles Times

Policemen and -women took a break from their aerobics to pose for a fun photo. Photo: Submitted.

For many, sport is a coping mechanism, helping them to deal with stress and focus their minds.

That is why the West Rand Cluster Womens Network and Men for Change Forum participated in a four-hour mass aerobics event at Azaadville Community Hall recently.

Policemen and -women enjoyed themselves with lovely music and a thorough workout.

We need to serve our community with minds that are ready to protect others, therefore we also need healthy bodies, said Lieutenant Colonel Enoch, champion of the West Rand Cluster Womens Network.

The event was organised to encourage all police station employees to take part in any kind of sporting activity they might enjoy.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.zaorphone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily localnews on the West Rand, also visit our sister websites:

Randfontein Herald

Roodepoort Record

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Policemen and -women cleansed their bodies through aerobics - Krugersdorp News

The City of Stillwater Senior Activity Center is offering a water aerobics swimming class for Senior Center participants. The class takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays at the City of Stillwater Municipal Pool from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. It will run through August 3 with the exception of the week of July 3 7, in which no classes will be held. Cost for the class is $2 per session and is paid at the pool. The Center welcomes all seniors, 50 and over. Activities include: card games, pool and snooker, bridge, exercise classes, line dancing, Zumba, bingo, a painting/crafting class, and an evening of music with country tunes performed by several musicians. Also, a walking trail is located right outside by the Center, in Couch Park. Regular hours at the Senior Center are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and music night is held on the second and fourth Thursday during the summer, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The facility is closed on weekends. Stop by 1015 E. 12th Ave. or call 405-747-8080 for more information and make sure to pick up a calendar of events.

Monday A free exercise class is offered to seniors every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. This class is called, Sit n Be Fit and offers a cool place to get a good workout routine that can strengthen your muscles and increase your flexibility. Everyone has a chair for support. Also, women pool players come in at 9:30 a.m. for some friendly competition in 8-ball games. Bring your pool stick or use one at the Center and join the fun. After the exercise class, a line dancing class is held. The boot scootin begins at 10:30 a.m. At 1 p.m. canasta, social bridge, pool, and snooker are played. Come enjoy the cool activities.

Tuesday If you would like a little more intense exercise class you should check out the free exercise/dance class that is offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. It is called, Zumba with Angie. This class will get you moving to some Latin American type music. Please wear good sturdy shoes for all the quick stepping. No slide on shoes allowed. Remember, water aerobics at 12:30 p.m. Afternoon games include canasta, duplicate bridge, and pool/snooker. Most card games start around 1 p.m. except for duplicate bridge which starts at 12:15 p.m. New duplicate bridge players should call the Center ahead of time to make arrangements. Duplicate bridge is played with a partner. Exercise equipment that includes exercise bikes, a treadmill, and a weight set are available for use in the afternoon. Pool and snooker playing are popular, also. Bingo is called at 2 p.m. Its a lot of laughs and everyone wins a prize! We always have a jig saw puzzle out, for the puzzlers.

Wednesday Exercisers and women pool players arrive at 9:30 a.m. again, ready to participate in their activities. At 10:30 a.m., line dancers do some quick stepping to country tunes. In the afternoon, games of canasta and other card games are played starting around 1 p.m. along with pool and snooker. A puzzle is always out ready to be solved.

Thursday Free guitar lessons are offered at 9:30 a.m. Then at 10:30 a.m. Zumba dancers begin moving to some jazzy tunes. The afternoon brings out canasta and bridge players and pool players, at 1 p.m. Bingo sometimes has a guest caller on Thursdays and the exciting games begin at 2 p.m. Music night will not be held this week.

Friday Friday mornings are active with Sit n Be Fit exercise class, womens pool, and a painting/crafting class that all take place at 9:30 a.m. The artists bring in their art projects and supplies and share their ideas and instructional skills with each other. They would like to welcome new painters to the group. The puzzle table is always waiting for someone to stop by and find a piece to the puzzle.

Last weeks reported duplicate bridge winners were: Jane Anderson and Lucy Robinson, 1st and Al Perry and Lionel Raff, 2nd.

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Stillwater Senior Activity Center offers water aerobics class - Stillwater News Press