Marilyn Zachery of Leachville is leading water aerobics at the Manila pool.

Zachery has been a water aerobics instructor for nine years. The Leachville native returned to her hometown after retiring. She lived in Jackson, Miss., where she was a property manager and part-time water aerobics instructor.

"I have had strokes and I really needed to be back in the water for exercise," Zachery said. "I started looking for a place to exercise and found out about the Manila pool. I told the city officials I would help out until they found someone."

The first class was Wednesday. The water aerobics classes will meet on Monday and Wednesday at noon until 1 p.m. and on Friday from 1-2 p.m.

Sign-up is through the Manila Senior Citizen Center.

Mayor Wayne Wagner said right now the senior citizens group will have first choice and if there is room others can sign up.

Eventually Mayor Wagner hopes to open the therapeutic pool for additional times adding more slots for more people.

"Water aerobics is great for those who suffer from arthritis and it is very good for balance," Zachery said. "You can ask any doctor. I have never heard a doctor discourage anyone from water aerobics."

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Water aerobics classes opened in Manila

I first met Deb Jenkins at an aerobics class at the Y in the late 80s. She danced right behind the instructor, a little to the left. I could see her from my position in the back, and wed talk after class. I always thought she was cool.

Deb and I remained good friends throughout the years, through the Celebration of Women and Their Music and attending her awesome house parties, and even our infrequent but precious lunch dates.

One fall a few years ago, I let it slip that Id blown off my yearly mammogram because I was just too busy with everything else. A few days later the phone rang.

Susie this is Deb. I havent slept these last three nights thinking about you not getting a mammogram. Promise me youll get one.

Tears stung my eyes. Id forgotten.

Im not going to let one of my sisters fall through the cracks if I can help it, she said. Just promise me youll do it so I can sleep, OK?

You see, Deb is a breast cancer survivor.

Women dont talk about it much. We buy pink ribbons and dedicate October to its awareness. But in a very personal, everyday way? Not so much.

At the time, I didnt think it was a big deal, but now I understand that that phone call remains one of the most real, stripped down and powerful calls of my life.

For some reason, it went to my core, demonstrating how I could be taking better care of my body. My friend, my sister, really cared about my health, and she wanted me to care about it, too. She wanted me to not always put others first.

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50/50: Don't fear conversations about health

Pickles: I love having our street lights off

8:00am Tuesday 29th April 2014 in News

ERIC Pickles has dismissed calls to switch Basildons street lights back on, saying he wouldnt do it on the off chance someone wants to get out and do aerobics at 3am.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was attacked by councillors from his own party over his comments about the controversial part-night lighting scheme, which involves street lights being turned off between midnight and 5am.

They were made as he launched the Conservative Partys election campaign for Basildon Council on Friday.

Mr Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, said: Essex County Council has been immensely brave because the easy thing would be to keep the lights on.

In a time when we are on the cusp with regards to our electricity supply, we cant have lights burning all night on the off chance someone wants to get out and do aerobics at 3am.

I love it because I am economy- minded. Its saving a phenomenal amount of money, its decreased crime because burglars love ambient lighting, its nice to see the night sky and, as someone who lives in a main street that has had its lights cut off, I can get a good nights sleep.

Questioned about the high number of shift workers in Basildon who come and go during the night, Mr Pickles said: I dont believe that someone who is working in shifts is scared to go out because theres no light.

We have moved on a bit in the world. It makes a nice story, but the reality is people get on with their lives.

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Pickles: I love having our street lights off

Canine Aqua Exercise

The benefits of aqua-exercise are quite amazing. After a dog has had surgery to repair a broken bone or torn ligament he will often be reluctant weeks later to use the affected leg. Over a number of swim sessions the dog will begin to use the affected joint more readily, improve mobility, regain muscle tone and return to pre-operative fitness levels and normal use of the leg.

Canine Acupuncture

Acupuncture has probably been used to treat animals since the origin of this mode of treatment. There are very old engravings of cows and horses on which the acupuncture points of these animals are pinpointed.

Because the build of man and of animal differ, the location of the acupuncture points and the path of the meridians are also different. But the technique and the effect are the same as in man, and so veterinary acupuncture can be a very valuable kind of treatment.

Underwater Treadmill

The Canine Fitness Center features the Ferno AquaPaws underwater treadmill system. This cutting edge equipment utilizes the water to optimize conditioning sessions based on the individual needs of the dog.

Variables can be adjusted to emphasize protected weight bearing and use of a limb, or to focus on strengthening, range of motion, or cardiovascular endurance.

Watch Otto while he learns to use the underwater treadmill!

Canine Massage

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Services Offered - Canine Fitness Center

Dr. Barbara Mathis is Professor of Music at Lamar University where she teaches studio voice, language dictions, structure & function of the voice, and graduate vocal methods. She received BM, MM, and PhD degrees from the University of North Texas and has taught at other universities and public schools in Texas, Alaska, and Florida. Dr. Mathis studied voice with Virginia Botkin and Alan Lindquest, coached with Regine Crespin, John Wustman, Harold Heiberg, and Berton Coffin, and served in a research internship with Van L. Lawrence, M.D. She is an active soprano soloist, choral and vocal clinician and speaker. Dr. Mathis has presented research papers and lectures for universities, national and international medical conventions, and professional music organizations. Her specialties include vocal coaching, vocal pedagogy, and vocal health and rehabilitation. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys seasonal decorating, reading, swimming, and long walks with husband George and dog Dusty.

One of the most important decisions a singer must make involves not only finding a suitable vocal technique, but choosing appropriate vocalises and exercises which will develop and train the voice as well as help maintain it to ensure a long and healthy vocal life. Eventually, the individual singer must take responsibility for his or her own vocal development, maintenance, and health. In the event that misuse, overuse, or some other factor should cause vocal fatigue or a more severe problem, beneficial therapeutic exercise becomes priceless.

Therapeutic exercise for the body is not a new concept, historians have traced its use from ancient times to the present, and general theories and basic principles for therapeutic exercises have developed for its use. Vocal exercise also stems from earlier centuries as a beneficial activity for general body hygiene and good health,2 and has developed as a training and therapy technique for the speaking/singing voice. Singing exercise as therapy for the voice is also not a new concept but has not been widely used for various voice disorders; nevertheless, sources do attest to the benefits of singing in relationship to vocal and general body health. For voice professionals to

understand fully the principles and benefits of good vocal exercise, it is necessary for them to have knowledge of general exercise theories, the structure and function of the vocal folds and other parts of the larynx, the development and character of various exercise routines, and results from the exercises on the physiological and functional properties of the voice.

The goal of good vocal exercise might well follow the definition of general therapeutic exercise that Licht presents: "therapeutic exercise is motion of the body or its parts to relieve symptoms or to improve function."3 Kottke defines therapeutic exercise as the prescription of bodily movement in order to correct impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of wellbeing, and further states that it may vary from highly selected activities for specific muscles to general activities for restoring a patient's peak physical condition.4 Specific exercises are active movements whose design seeks to restore function by strengthening particular muscle groups, mobilizing certain joints, or reeducating neuromuscular coordination. Colson and Collison, experts in progressive exercise therapy, believe that this type of exercise is of great value in the treatment of injuries and disorders of the locomotor system where certain muscular groups and joints are affected and the rest are comparatively normal. They state that all types of specific exercises must conform to three basic principles:

1. They must be performed in a smooth and rhythmical manner, so that they do not subject muscles and joints to sudden unexpected stresses and strains.

2. They must be based on sound starting positions.

3. They must provide smooth progression from the stage of extreme weakness to the stage of full use against the stresses of normal working conditions.

In addition, all exercises that aim to strengthen weak muscles should provide as wide a range of movement as possible.5

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Excercise for the Voice