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Healthy Schools
Implementing the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines in Your School Comprehensive School Health Physical Activity and the Junior High Teenager Calling All Teens – Are You ACTIVE Enough? Active, Paid Jobs for Youth and Children Active Team Building The Meaning of Physical Literacy Activity Breaks Get Active – For Life! Summary of 2010 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth Benefits of Outdoor Play Screen Busters! Activating Families! Increasing Classroom Physical Activity Assessing Healthy Schools Schools and Mental Health It’s up to You: The Role of Parents in School Communities Maximizing Indoor Play Spaces Stress Busters for Kids Managing Exam Time Physical Activity: Bridging the Gender Gap Not Your Ordinary Field Day! Feeling Connected at School Modelling Healthy Behaviour at Home and School School Fundraising the Healthy Way! Healthy Eating Heads to School: Packing Nutritious Lunches and Snacks Physical Activity and Physical Education: What’s the Difference? Daily Physical Activity in Schools: What It Means for Your Child What is a Healthy School? Steps to Building a Healthier School Increasing Active Living in Schools Promoting Healthy Eating in Schools

Healthy Workplaces
Staying Healthy as You Move Into Retirement Vital Steps Towards a Healthy, Active Workday Work Day Wellness: Choose Healthy Options When Eating Out Active Commuting – Cycling to Work! Energize Your Workplace! Health-related Workplace Policies Yoga at Work Offering Information to Employees About Healthy, Active Living Encouraging Employees to be Physically Active at Local Events Using a Pedometer at Work Setting a Healthy Pace at Work Launching and Sustaining a Workplace Wellness Program Healthy Eating at Work Taking Active Breaks at Work The dangers of too much sitting Treating and avoiding hand and wrist pain The Afternoon Slump Physical Activity for Busy People If I Have an Active Job, Why Should I Be Active Outside Work? Conquering Back Pain with Physical Activity Does your workplace support physical activity? What Are You Sitting on? Using Exercise Balls at Work Shift Work: Getting Enough Sleep and Physical Activity Office Ergonomics: Key to Health and Safety in the Workplace Work-Life Balance: “Getting There” Help! My Workplace Is Driving Me Crazy! Putting Together a Wellness Plan What is Workplace Wellness? Workplace Wellness: Small vs. Big Business Options

Healthy Communities
Bringing Life and Fresh Activities to Community Spaces Ideas for Boosting Trail Usage in Your Community Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living at Community Events Positive Steps to Boost Your Mental Well-Being Fun Physical Activities for Families Eating Well Anytime, Anywhere Starting a Community Walking Group Gardening and Your Community Buying Healthy Foods in My Community Discover the Joy of Cycling Outdoor Playspaces Promote Healthy Kids and Communities Making the Connection: Physical Activities and the Environment ACE Communities: Igniting Change in Rural Alberta How Walkable Communities Are Created Promoting Accessible and Active Communities Understanding Health and Wellness from the Perspective of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada Connecting with the outdoors Community Leaders: Making Good Things Happen Welcoming Newcomers to Alberta Bringing the Community Together With Multicultural Activities Building Self-Esteem Through Sports Funding Community Recreation Projects Cultural Diversity: Including Everyone in Physical Activity Active Transportation Maximizing the Benefits of Recreation Community Gardens: Being Active With Your Neighbours What is an Active, Healthy Community? Getting Active Outdoors in Your Community How Can I Make My Community a Healthy Active Place?

Profiling Healthy Places
2010 Profiles

When it comes to choosing physical activities for you and your kids – you should know your options! Why not think beyond some of the more traditional activities such as hockey, soccer or jogging, and try some new ones?

Even if you love traditional sports, it can be very refreshing to try something completely different and your body will thank you for the experience. Climb a rock wall, try doing Pilates or dance your way into fitness! Consider trying some of the activities in this article and get active – for life!

Feelin’ Fit?
If you have not been to a local fitness centre or community recreation centre in a while, prepare to be surprised! Today’s fitness training involves many unique, enjoyable and challenging opportunities.

Here are just a few examples:

Pilates – A technique developed by Joseph Pilates that focuses on your core; the central group of muscles that stabilize your body and are vital to all physical activity.
Spin Class – Definitely not your grandmother’s exercise bike! Experience the energy of a group class that uses high-performance bikes.
Yoga – There are many different types of yoga; choose an option or style that works best for you. Consider starting with the gentlest form (Hatha), then try power yoga (Ashtanga) or, for the adults, Bikram (hot yoga!)
Strength Training – It’s not about using dumbbells and straining to lift! Strength training has evolved to meet the needs of every strength level and body type. Innovative techniques include exercise balls, kettle bells, and stability balls, to name a few. Check with a certified exercise professional about the best methods for adults, and children of different ages.

Dance, Dance, Revolution!
Dance is becoming an extremely popular form of staying active (and having fun!) with a wide variety of styles, music and venues.

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Many fitness centres offer dance fitness classes, and there are numerous private studios and dance clubs or organizations to check out.

Zumba – Combines energetic Latin music with aerobic style dance moves from salsa, merengue and other styles. This can be an exhilarating fitness experience.
Country Dancing – Line dance, two-step, square dance and more. You can pick your favourite styles and intensity levels. Country dancing is widely available, includes all ages and makes an excellent activity choice.
Stomp – Using everyday objects to provide rhythm is the foundation of stomp. If you love to make noise, move your body to the beat and have fun, this dance style is for you!
Community Dance – Consider hosting a family dance in your community and invite a local studio to run lessons in a variety of styles. Everyone can hit the dance floor together!

Get Outside
It’s good to be outdoors, winter or summer. Interact with nature, spend time alone or with friends and explore life off of the sports field!

Rock Climbing – Learn the ropes at an indoor gym, then head outside! There are many beginner and intermediate techniques you can learn to make your early climbing experiences safe and fun.
Canoe/Kayak – Many local swimming pools and parks offer learn-to-paddle courses. Once the basics have been mastered, head to the nearest lake or river and enjoy life on the water.
Cross-country Skiing – Alberta is blessed with all kinds of pristine cross-country (X-C) ski trails, including many in urban areas. Used equipment can often be purchased at reasonable prices; check out local shops, ski swaps and classified ads. Many local X-C clubs offer lessons, group fun and camaraderie. Local ski shops are also a good source of information and equipment, and sometimes offer lessons.
Snowshoeing – Great for those who love winter fun, today’s new snowshoes are lighter, faster and offer a superb way to get outside and enjoy the winter weather. Runners who enjoy summer running will find that snowshoes offer new opportunities to run on interesting snow-covered trails in the winter.

Inject some life into your physical activity routine and try something new! Ask your kids what new physical activities they would like to try and don’t forget to suggest a few you might like as well. Find the right combination of activities and you WILL be active for life!

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Learn More
Cross Country (Skiing) Alberta

Listing of Alberta Rock Climbing Walls and Gyms

Paddle Alberta

Provincial Fitness Unit
Find a fitness professional or a reputable fitness centre near you!

Yoga Association of Alberta

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