Exercising the Senses

new Menomonie gym designed for kids with special needs

A pair of Menomonie sisters opened a new breed of youth fitness and play facility in October. Jesse’s Jym, E4699 430th Ave., is an adaptive sensory gym where kids of all abilities can romp around and develop ...

In the New Year, Think

YMCA yoga instructor talks yoga for beginners

Wendi Engum – a yoga instructor at the YMCA in Eau Claire who has been practicing yoga since 2000 – went to her first yoga class out of “pure curiosity” and found she instantly loved the new ...

Resolved to Ditch the Diet

start healthy diet-free habits and be your child’s best role model

As we start a new year, you might make a resolution to lose weight. If you are a parent, you might be asking yourself, “How will I fit a diet and exercise into my busy schedule?” Another important question to ask yourself is, “How will my diet and exercise affect my children?

The Right Steps for Winter

running during cold weather has benefits, but plenty of layers and a dedicated attitude are musts

The alarm goes off while it’s still dark. I stumble out of bed still foggy from the dream I was having and reach for the pile on my dresser I prepared the night before: fleece-lined leggings, two shirts, two pairs of socks, jacket, hat, gloves, shoes. It’s 6am and I am going running. In the winter ...

6 Hot Tips for Safe Summer Dining

how not to get sick at the cookout

During this busy summer season of picnics, barbecues, and other activities involving food, the Eau Claire City-County Health Department would like to remind everyone about important ways to keep your food safe ...

Running Beyond the Norm: Teams push physical, mental, and emotional limits in 200-mile Ragnar Race

If someone asked you to do something that’s out of the norm for you, what would your motivation be for saying yes? Say that something was part physical (running a 200-mile relay race from Chicago to Madison in two days), part social ...

4 Health Tips for Music Festival Season

keep safe while you rock out

Attending local or regional music festivals is an annual tradition for many people and can be a fun time to reconnect with friends while enjoying great music. I have staffed many first aid tents at music festivals ...

5 Common Mistakes Runners Make

and how to avoid them

You’re all fired up and ready to run! In fact, you might have a longer term goal you’re working towards and want to make this year your fittest year yet! Motivation is at an all-time high and you have daydreams ...

Going Yoga? How to Find A Teacher

Hot? Cold? Fast? Slow? The Valley offers a vast array of yoga options

Having grown up around here in the 1980s and ’90s, I think I can safely say that the alternative health boom of the ’90s was only distantly echoed in the Valley. Practitioners of yoga, for instance ...

Attitude of Gratitude: Mayo Clinic Health System to offer Gratitude Challenge

Practicing mindful thankfulness is one way to boost your spirits, feel happier, and enhance your overall health. You are invited to join Mayo Clinic Health System for a virtual Gratitude Challenge from ...