Health & Fitness

Events and Classes in health and fitness

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Jong Bonaire to Hold Fifth Annual Fun Walk and Bike Fundraiser

Those looking to combine some exercise with a good cause should consider joining Jong Bonaire’s Fun Walk and Bike event on Sunday February 5, 2012, starting at 6:00 AM and concluding at 12:00 PM. 

The event will start and finish at Jong Bonaire, which is located at Kaya Simon Bolivar 16. The distance is 20 kilometers and is not a competition, but rather an opportunity to walk with friends and family, and meet new people while taking in Bonaire’s beauty.

The cost to participate is $12 for adults and $6 for children under age 12, which includes drinks, fruit, lunch, a water bottle and a tee shirt.

Tickets are available at Freewieler, Bon Fysio & Bon Bida and Jong Bonaire and all are welcome to participate. (Source: Jong Bonaire)

Friday, January 20, 2012

Tenth Bonaire Special Olympics Walk-a-Thon is Sunday March 4, 2012

Bonaire’s Special Olympics Walk-a-Thon will mark its tenth anniversary this year. The ever popular 34 kilometer event starts at the White Slave Huts and finishes in Rincon, with all proceeds going to the local chapter of the Special Olympics and everyone is invited to participate.

The event will take place on Sunday March 4, 2012, departing from the slave huts at 5:00 AM and finishing at FKPD in Rincon. Participants are invited to walk, run, bike or roller blade the route and may do the entire event, or just a portion.

Tickets are only $15 per person and include an event t-shirt, water bottle, a bag, and lunch at FKPD (Pasadia Karino Rincon) from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

Preregistration for the event is Friday March 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Hotel Rochaline, located at Kaya Grandi #7.

For additional information call Arlene Engelhart at 525-8496 or Aura at 796-0101. (Source: Special Olympics Bonaire)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Outback Yoga Bonaire Expands Class Schedule

Due to high demand with many classes running at capacity, Outback Yoga, operated by Desiree and Don Seaver, recently announced an expanded class schedule.

Effective tomorrow, November 1st, 2011, the yoga studio will offer the following classes:

Monday @ 7:45 am Gentle Yoga Flow
Tuesday @ 6:00 pm Vigorous Vinyasa Yoga
Wednesday @ 7:30 am Stiff Guy Moderate/Vigorous Yoga (men only)
Wednesday @ 12:15 pm Moderate/Vigorous Lunch Hour Yoga
Thursday @ 7:30 am Moderate Yoga
Thursday @ 6:00 pm Gentle Yoga Flow
Friday @ 8:00 am Gentle Yoga Flow
Saturday @ 8:00 am Moderate/Vigorous Yoga

Classes can be taken on a walk-in basis, or cards for five or ten sessions also are available.  For more information about Outback Yoga Bonaire, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Outback Yoga Bonaire)

Friday, October 07, 2011

Try Tai Chi at Bon Bida Spa and Gym; The First Class is Free

Last month, Ron Sewell began teaching two classes each week of Tai Chi and Qigong, and to encourage everyone to try out this new experience on Bonaire, Bon Bida Spa and Gym is offering anyone who is interested the opportunity to take their first class for free.

The Tai Chi and Qigong exercises are a preventative medicine approach to health and wellness.  The exercise routines are low impact, but build great body and core strength and are well known to prevent and improve even severe arthritic conditions.  Students will learn a series of postures that are connected together in a long flowing form.  The class focuses upon power and balance and is suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness.  Ron will teach each Monday morning from 8:00 to 9:00 AM, and again on Friday afternoon for an extended class from 5:30 through 7:00 PM.  For additional information, call 717-7224 or simply show up at the appointed class time. (Source:  Bon Bida Spa & Gym)

Note Update October 11, 2011: The Insider has just learned that, due to popular request, the Friday class has been changed to Wednesday.  So, from 5:00 to 5:30 PM, Ron will teach Qigong, and from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, the class will be comprised of Tai Chi and Qigong.  Ron’s Monday class remains unchanged.  (Source:  Bon Bida Spa & Gym)

Friday, September 09, 2011

Insider Review--Outback Yoga Bonaire

Last week, Desiree and Don Seaver, well known yoga instructors on Bonaire, opened the doors to their new yoga studio, Outback Yoga Bonaire.  The new studio offers a variety of classes each week, at different levels, so that anyone from beginner to advanced can find just the perfect class.

I had the opportunity to try out an intermediate class, taught by both Don and Desiree.  Although I had studied yoga in the past with Desiree, working under Don’s instruction was new for me, and he definitely added an important element to the class.  Both Don and Desiree share responsibility for leading the class at different times, while the other one works to enhance asanas (poses or postures) as needed on an individual basis. 

The studio is located “out back” (and thus the name) at Bon Bida Spa & Gym.  It has a separate entrance from the gym, on the north side of the building, and classes can be taught indoors during the heat of day or inclement weather, but our class opted for an early morning class out on the private deck, equipped with canopies.  Not only was a nice breeze going which kept everyone cool, but during the final meditation, or savasana, the chirps of the parrots and the rustle of the wind through palm fronds was the perfect way to free the mind of everyday thoughts or worries.

Classes can be taken on an “as desired” basis, or, for those visiting Bonaire for a longer term, arrangements can be made to purchase a card good for three, five, ten, or twenty classes.  For more information, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Tai Chi and Qigong and Core Stability Classes at Bon Bida Spa and Gym

The September class schedule at Bon Bida Spa and Gym has been augmented with two new offerings:  Tai Chi and Qigong, taught by Ron Sewell, as well as a Core Stability Class, taught by Miguel Angel Brito.

Tai Chi and Qigong exercises are a preventative medicine approach to health and wellness.  The exercise routines are low impact, but build great body and core strength and are well known to prevent and improve even severe arthritic conditions.  Tai Chi and Qigong exercises provide the opportunity to learn more about your body and how it works, while teaching the student how to move correctly and have good posture.  The routines help to improve physical and mental health, produce a healthy body, and an alert mind.  Participants taking a Tai Chi/Qigong class will experience a gentle work out of all muscles, ligaments, tendons and glands through a series of graceful movements, which also benefit the body with a tranquil state of mind.  Classes are taught twice each week on Tuesday mornings and Friday evenings.

Core stability is the cure for your core!  It’s a common term in the fitness branch and also in physical therapy practices. Core stability is a form of abdominal exercise which provides muscular control of the whole region bounded by the abdominal wall, the pelvis, the lower back and the diaphragm and a person’s ability to stabilize the body during movement. It is the action of the muscles in this region contracting together upon the contents of the abdominal cavity that provides support to the spine and pelvis during movement. It works rather like an air bag for your back. By compressing the abdominal cavity, the pressure inside this cavity will protect and the back is stabilized.  Classes are taught twice each week on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings.

To view the entire roster of health and fitness classes at Bon Bida Spa & Gym, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Bon Bida Spa & Gym)

Monday, August 01, 2011

New Outdoor Activities Begin at Bon Bida Spa and Gym

Since the merger last year of Bon Fysio and Bon Bida, Bon Bida has regularly announced new activities promoting health and wellness for those living on or visiting Bonaire.  Their latest addition combines outdoor walks and cycles by fitness instructor, Miguel Angel Brito.

Beginning now, every first Tuesday of the month will be an early morning walk, to enjoy all that Bonaire’s backroads have to offer.  The walk will begin at 6:30 AM and the first walk (or kaminata, as it’s called on Bonaire) will be tomorrow, Tuesday, August 2nd.

Additionally, every first Thursday of the month, a late afternoon off-road cycling tour will be offered, beginning at 5:00 PM.  The first cycle will be Thursday, August 4th.  Be sure to bring your bicycle, gear, water, and a helmet is mandatory.  Bike tours are planned for the beginner and intermediate rider.

Both monthly events are free to members or to visitors who have either a temporary membership or a day pass.  Miguel is well known in Bonaire’s fitness circle, so come and enjoy his enthusiasm.

Bon Bida’s goal is to get those on Bonaire more involved with outdoor health and fitness programs, so they become more physically active and, consequently, improve their health. With such beautiful nature to explore, many sport and fitness programs take advantage of Bonaire’s fabulous outdoors. Hiking and mountain biking are among the many activities designed to improve health.

For additional information about Bon Bida’s health and fitness programs, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Bon Bida Spa & Gym)

Monday, July 18, 2011

Tango Workshops Join Salsa, Zouk, and Zumba at Bon Bida Spa and Gym

For those who love to dance, Bon Bida Spa and Gym is fast becoming the place to be!  In addition to their current roster of dance classes, including zumba, Caribbean dance, zouk and salsa, now tango is coming to the mix. 

A spectacular tango weekend is planned when two workshops are given on either Saturday, July 30th or Sunday, July 31st, from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.  Additionally, on the Saturday evening of the tango workshops, a group will perform this South American dance at Sense Restaurant from 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

The instructor for these workshops will be professional Tango-Maestro Rafa Oliana, from Curacao and Argentina.  Pick your favorite day and reserve your spot by calling 785-0783 or 786-0378.  (Source:  Bon Bida Spa & Gym)

Friday, May 27, 2011

Jong Bonaire to Host Eighth Annual Mini-Fun Triathlon on June 12, 2011

The popular Jong Bonaire Triathlon is set for Sunday June 12. Everyone is invited to participate and proceeds will be used for the Jong Bonaire center and to fund activities for the youth of Bonaire. 

Those wishing to join the race can choose between the “fun” category or the “pro” category, and the events include swimming, cycling and running. The fun category will include an 850 meter swim, an 11.6 kilometer bike ride and a 5 kilometer run. The pro category will include a 1500 meter swim, a 23.2 kilometer bike ride and a 10 kilometer run. Participants should arrive at 6:30 AM, for a 7:00 AM start.

Entrance to the triathlon may be either as an individual or as a relay team of three. The entry fee is $14 for an individual or $30 for a team and includes food, a t-shirt, water and fruit along the route and an information packet with a participant number. Following the event, participants are invited to visit City Cafe, an event sponsor, for salad and bread.

Registration will take play at City Cafe on Saturday June 11, 2011 between 5:30 and 7:30 PM. Registration may also be completed ahead of time at Jong Bonaire and The Freewieler Bike Shop. (Source: Jong Bonaire)

Friday, May 13, 2011

A New Health Center--Essentials--Opens on Bonaire

Essentials is a new health center in Kralendijk, combining several complementary health-related businesses in one location, including clinical nutrition advice, a health food store stocked with fresh, healthy food, and therapeutic massage, promoting one stop health.

Essentials will offer health foods for sale and healthy foods will be freshly prepared. Essentials contains the health food shop formerly known as The Natural Way, and will carry a selection of natural and organically certified products. They will also have available for sale healthy foods including salads, soups, sweet and healthy treats, and freshly made drinks. Essentials will emphasize locally grown and organic produce without preservatives or food colorings.

Essentials will also offer blood pressure and glucose checks during the lunch time, along with information about the results and what it means if a participant is out of the normal range. A third component offers a range of therapeutic massages to round out their services.

Essentials will hold a “Nutritional Day” on Saturday, May 14 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to illustrate how healthy food does not have to be boring. Everyone is invited to attend and sample the various foods while learning about easy steps to improved health.  Essentials is located at Kaya Grandi 32B, just behind Best Buddies and Pearls, with access from the small road next to Gio’s Coffee and Gelateria. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. (Source: Essentials Bonaire)