Yoga and Health Screening Funded by Grant

New yoga classes, a health screening day, healthy cooking demonstrations, a pedometer challenge, and an intergenerational potluck will be taking place at Volunteers of America – Minnesota’s Southwest Senior Center over the next two months thanks to a Neighborhood Health Connection Grant from Allina Health.  In addition to hosting anumber of activities on site, the Center will take its nutrition classes on the road to three Minneapolis Public Housing locations.

At the free Neighborhood Health Screening on Friday, September 21 from 10 am – 1 pm, participants can have their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar level, and body mass index checked by Allina Health nurses.  After the screenings, a nurse will review your results and give you recommendations to help improve or
maintain your health. The focus will be on adults age 50 and up.  Pre-registration is required by calling 612-822-3194 and is on a first come, first served basis. 

In addition to holding the screening that day, the Center will host a Harvest Meal featuring healthy fall foods.  To register for the lunch, please call 612-822-3194 at least 3 business days ahead. Recommended donation is $3.50 for people 60 and up.

Over 60 seniors have received pedometers and are competing to see who can walk the most over six weeks. The winner will receive a $25 prize.  In addition, Center staff and spouses have signed up as a team in the Neighborhood Health Connection Pedometer Challenge.  “Wearing the pedometer has definitely made me more aware of how much activity I get each day and my husband and I are walking more together.  I think it’s important we practice what we preach in terms of fitness,” said Laura Campbell, the Center’s adult day program manager.

Free yoga classes will take place at the Center on Tuesdays at 2:15 pm from August 28 – September 18. To register for the yoga classes and/or to receive a complete listing of all the Neighborhood Health Connection activities, please call 612-822-3194, stop by the office, or e-mail mschoenberger@voamn.org.

Southwest Senior Center, part of Volunteers of America – Minnesota, is a  friendly, helpful place where seniors feel comfortable socializing and engaging in activities that enhance their physical, mental and spiritual health and wellness. 
Each year the Center provides services and programs for over 700 seniors through its adult day, social work, health and nutrition programs, educational and cultural events, caregiver support services, and volunteer opportunities. 
The Center is located at 3612 Bryant Avenue South and its phone number is
822-3194.