What's going on - Week of 9/29 - 10/5

For a Halloween survival adventure, check out the Haunted Paintball Shoot at the Holland Paintball Adventure Park
Fridays and Saturdays from 9/30/16 - 10/29/16

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

Try out something different this fall:

9/29 - Thursday

5:30PM - Karuna Yoga is offering a six week meditation and relaxation class for all levels.

5:30PM - Try out a SurfPiyo class at Longboard's Lake Erie Seaway Trail center. $10 for a 50min class - book your spot here.

6:30PM - Weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, Devi Bollywood will be holding their mixed-level Bollywood Dance class at 6:30PM, and a Thursday night Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 7:45PM.

7PM - Weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - all levels welcome, $10/class.

7PM - Every week you can take a Line Dance class at Nashville's II on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7PM - only $5.

7PM - Verve Dance Studio will be holding a foundations of House Dancing (hip hop) class - perfect for beginners, and dancers from related disciplines. This six week session will run from 9/15 until 10/20, and is $15 per class.

7:30PM - Every Thursday you can check out a Booty Work class at 7:30, and a Club Dance Aerobics class at 8:30 taught by instructors from Musicality Central at Future Dance Center in Hamburg. $10/class.

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9/30 - Friday

10AM - Every Friday morning is an aerial yoga class with Aerial Dance Buffalo at the ALT Theatre in Buffalo. Drop in price is $18. For more information click here. Preregistration is recommended as these classes fill fast.

2PM - Take a hike at Chesnut Ridge Park.

4:30PM - Try out a total body tune-up at East Meets West yoga studio (a 6-week self-care education course).

5PM - Every Friday is a non-contact kickboxing class called Friday Night Fights, held at HUBFiT Studio in downtown Buffalo - $10 drop-in rate.

6PM - Workout with a twist at a Reggae Dance Party at GoPole Fitness. Enjoy Jamaican cuisine and wine after you dance.

6:45PM - Guys - this is your chance to see what Barre is all about - check out Man Up to the Barre at Buffalo Barre and show everyone what you're made of.

7PM - Weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - all levels welcome, $10/class.

7PM - Bring your partner and try out a Ballroom/Social Dance Workshop at Nickel City Dance and Fitness Center. This class will be every Friday night from 7-8 starting 9/9, and ending 10/28. $60 per person for the series, couples required. 

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10/1 - Saturday 

8:30AM - Weekly on Saturday mornings, Devi Bollywood will be holding a Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 8:30AM, and a Vinyasa Yoga class at 9:15AM.

9AM - Claw your way through Kettlebell Hell at Live Fit Be You - this program runs 3x per week and kicks off on October 1st. Only $10/session.

9:30AM - Every Saturday morning is an aerial yoga class with Aerial Dance Buffalo at the ALT Theatre in Buffalo. Drop in price is $18. For more information click here. Preregistration is recommended as these classes fill fast.

9:30AM - Take a conservation trail hike in Ellicottville

10AM - The Training Edge will be hosting their annual open house today, and will be hosting several self-defense and fitness classes for adults and children.

10:30AM - Still craving more yoga and beer after Float's class last weekend? Enjoy a Vinyasa Flow class with Lindsey Mease at the Genesee Brewery on the roof patio - only $13.

2PM - Donation-based Power Yoga of Buffalo - "Karma" class.

6:15PM - Yoga Trails will be holding a night hike at the Beaver Meadow Audubon Center.

6:30PM - Tonight is the opening night of Holland's Haunted Paintball Walks for the fall season.

7PM - Every week you can take a Line Dance class at Nashville's II on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7PM - only $5.

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This weekend check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! See their website for ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page

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10/2 - Sunday

9AM - Go for an Allegany Region Hike, or at 10AM, hike at Zoar Valley.

4PM - Try out a free Aikido workshop at the Pilates Loft (make sure to register though - space is limited).

(Sundays tend to be scarce due to the Bills games)

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10/3 - Monday

5:30AM - Start every week with Monday morning PiYo with Marcia and Longboards, held at the Lake Erie Seaway Trail facility (indoors). Make sure to register, because this class fills up. 

4PM - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings this fall you can take a cardio Kickboxing Bootcamp class - 6 weeks for $69 at Horizon Martial Arts. 

5:15PM - Interested in taking a ladies only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class? Buffalo United Martial Arts Academy at Riverworks holds one every Monday night, and the first few classes are free! Bring a friend!

6:15PM - Dance it out at Oasis Dance at the latest Queen City Sweat session - Bollywood Style. 

6:30PM - Weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, Devi Bollywood will be holding their mixed-level Bollywood Dance class at 6:30PM, and a Thursday night Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 7:45PM. 

6:30PM - Acroyoga Buffalo will hold their weekly Monday Night AcroJam at Delaware Park (near the Rose Garden). (as the weather gets colder, check out their facebook page for cancellations - their winter sessions will be moving indoors)

7PM - Karuna Yoga of Buffalo will be holding a 6 week workshop (through 10/24) to focus on exploring a moderate practice in a gentle way, moving toward your edge, just outside of your comfort zone. 

7:30PM - Shakti Yoga will hold a weekly Vinyasa by Donation yoga class. 

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10/4 - Tuesday

10AM - Take a hike at Darien Lake State Park.

6PM - Indulge in some yoga, shopping, and chocolate at Chic Boutique.

7PM - Every Tuesday you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

7PM - Build on your social dance practice with Lindy Hop Styling at SwingBuffalo.

7PM - As the weather gets cooler, AcroYoga Buffalo's AcroJams will be moving indoors to the SolRise Farm and Cultural Arts Center in Buffalo.

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10/5 - Wednesday

6PM - Try out a Hip Hop for starters class at Musicality Central (at Studio 990) - $10/class, and there are more advanced classes available if you are so inclined.

7PM - Learn some Line Dances at Nashville's II in Williamsville. (lessons, and free-dancing).

7PM - Or, if country and western dance isn't your style, check out Noche de Salsa at Pucho Olivencia. 

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If you know of an event that you would like to see in here, please let me know! (message our facebook page!)

Get out there and get moving!

What's going on - Week of 9/22 - 9/28

Don't miss Yogis in Service's Battleship Yoga event on the USS Little Rock this weekend!

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

Check out some of the amazing events going on this week:

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9/22 - Thursday

5:30PM - Take a free bike riding beer-week tour in East Aurora, starting at Chain Ring Rhythm.

6PM - Take a hike in Chestnut Ridge Park.

6:30PM - Weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, Devi Bollywood will be holding their mixed-level Bollywood Dance class at 6:30PM, and a Thursday night Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 7:45PM.

7PM - Weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - all levels welcome, $10/class.

7PM - Every week you can take a Line Dance class at Nashville's II on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7PM - only $5.

7PM - Go to Verve dance studio for a class that will teach you the foundations of House Dancing, hip hop style. This is a 6-week course through 10/20, and costs $15/class.

7:30PM - Every Thursday you can check out a Booty Work class at 7:30, and a Club Dance Aerobics class at 8:30 taught by instructors from Musicality Central at Future Dance Center in Hamburg. $10/class.

8PM - Grab your partner, dress to impress, and go to Ashkers tonight for a Tango Social - free for all newcomers, $10 general admission.

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9/23 - Friday

9AM - Interested in learning more about utilizing a Yoga Wall? OWM yoga and Bryan Legere are holding a level 1 weekend workshop, running 18hrs over 3 days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Open to all students of yoga.

10AM - Every Friday morning is an aerial yoga class with Aerial Dance Buffalo at the ALT Theatre in Buffalo. Drop in price is $18. For more information click here. Preregistration is recommended as these classes fill fast.

6PM - If you're looking for something to do in the northtowns on Friday night, check out Embody Health and Wellness's yoga and P90x offering, incorporating a walk through the village.

6PM - Ever thought about learning Tai Chi? The Taoist Tai Chi Society of Buffalo will be condensing months of Tai Chi knowledge of the 108 movements into one weekend - this 9hr master class will be spread out over this weekend and will give you the foundation of a Tai Chi practice. $140 for adults, includes a 4 month membership after this class.

7PM - Weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - all levels welcome, $10/class.

7PM - Bring your partner and try out a Ballroom/Social Dance Workshop at Nickel City Dance and Fitness Center. This class will be every Friday night from 7-8 starting 9/9, and ending 10/28. $60 per person for the series, couples required.

7:15PM - Sweat it out this Friday evening for some good old-fashioned cardio with the Boss Babes at Revolution Buffalo - check out their yoga/trx/bootcamp fusion class. Bring water and your yoga mat.

10PM - Didn't make it to the Ballroom/Social dance workshop, but still want to get moving with your partner? Join your fellow dance enthusiasts at Sabor Latino Latin night at Expo market. Admission is $5, and this event is 21+ (alcohol will be served). 

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9/24 - Saturday 

7:30AM - Start out your Saturday mornings with a weekly PiYo class with Marcia hosted by Longboards at their Lake Erie Seaway Trail center. Book your spot here.

8:30AM - Weekly on Saturday mornings, Devi Bollywood will be holding a Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 8:30AM, and a Vinyasa Yoga class at 9:15AM.

8:30AM - Join LuluLemon at the Galleria Mall for a free customer appreciation Vinyasa flow class held right at the store (with post-class snacks and coffee).

9:30AM - Every Saturday morning is an aerial yoga class with Aerial Dance Buffalo at the ALT Theatre in Buffalo. Drop in price is $18. For more information click here. Preregistration is recommended as these classes fill fast.

10AM - Been thinking about taking a trip through the gorge at Letchworth? Adventure Calls Outfitters will be running a special - for every dollar of non-perishable food you bring, they will deduct that from the cost of your adventure - the food will be donated to a local food pantry.

10AM - Karuna Yoga of Buffalo will be holding a 6 week Yoga Reset session on Saturday mornings (through 10/29).

11AM - Devi Bollywood Dance and Ashker's Juicebar are happy to be hosting a workshop on the fundamentals of Bharata Natyam (as well as performance and intensive classes) - the basic class will be $20, and will teach basic steps, foot positions, hand gestures, and the foundations of telling stories through dance and movement.

11AM - Support the doggies and kitties (and other animal friends)! The Erie County SPCA will be hosting their 23rd annual Paws in the Park Walk. Register ahead and bring your furry friend!!

2PM - Donation-based Power Yoga of Buffalo - "Karma" class.

2PM - Storing tension in your shoulders? Shakti yoga is hosting a class that will teach you to use therapy balls to roll out the upper back, also incorporating a yoga flow sequence.

6PM - Yoga Trails of WNY will be meeting up in Grirffis Sculpture Park for a night lights hike and yoga session. There is a $10 fee to get into the park.

7PM - Every week you can take a Line Dance class at Nashville's II on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7PM - only $5.

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This weekend check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! See their website for ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page

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9/25 - Sunday

9AM - Take a trail run in Chestnut Ridge Park - runs of varying difficulty will be offered.

9AM - The South Buffalo Farmer's Market will be teaming up with Queen City Cycling to bring free cycling and fitness classes to the farmer's market - make sure to reserve a spot!

10AM - Take a hike in Hunter's Creek Park.

10AM - Bring your kid to the "I Read It" run in Caz park, sponsored by Dog Ears bookstore. $10 pre-registration, $12 the day of the race, heats will be based on age. There will be prizes!

11AM - Hope you're ready for another Bhakti Beats and Brews with Float Yoga! These are always amazing classes, followed by sample courtesy of Resurgence Brewing Co. $15, 21 and over, free pint after class - make sure to register ahead of time! These classes fill up.

11AM - Looking for a yoga change of pace? Yogis in Service will be holding Battleship Yoga for $20 on the USS Little Rock at the Naval Park near Canalside (Naval Park admission included).

2:30PM - Oasis dance center will be holding a shimmy clinic for those interested in belly dance - with plenty of individual attention on your shimmy! $15 for the class.

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9/26 - Monday

5:30AM - Start every week with Monday morning PiYo with Marcia and Longboards, held at the Lake Erie Seaway Trail facility (indoors). Make sure to register, because this class fills up. 

1PM - Bring the kids and meet up at Knox Farm for a hike and scavenger hunt - kids (and adults) will be able to paint some rocks to leave around the park to bring a smile to others. 

4:30PM - Are you SCUBA certified? Poseidon and Phoenix SCUBA of Lackawanna have teamed up to give people a chance to try out Poseidon's Rebreather units. There will be multiple pool sessions, 1hr each (please purchase your ticket ahead of time), followed by refreshments and a Q&A with Poseidon USA President. 

5:15PM - Interested in taking a ladies only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class? Buffalo United Martial Arts Academy at Riverworks holds one every Monday night, and the first few classes are free! Bring a friend!

6PM - Enjoy a free/donation based vinyasa yoga class at School House Wellness Center in Lockport. 

6PM - If you're going to be south of Buffalo, head to Core Performance in Ellicottville for a free wild Zumba party!

6PM - Go for a run at the Amherst Bike Path. 

6:30PM - Weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, Devi Bollywood will be holding their mixed-level Bollywood Dance class at 6:30PM, and a Thursday night Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 7:45PM. 

6:30PM - Acroyoga Buffalo will hold their weekly Monday Night AcroJam at Delaware Park (near the Rose Garden). 

7PM - Karuna Yoga of Buffalo will be holding a 6 week workshop (through 10/24) to focus on exploring a moderate practice in a gentle way, moving toward your edge, just outside of your comfort zone. 

7:30PM - Shakti Yoga will hold a weekly Vinyasa by Donation yoga class. 

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9/27 - Tuesday

10AM - Go for a hike at Lancaster Heritage Trail.

6PM - Take another hike at Stiglemeier Park. 

7PM - Every Tuesday you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

7PM - For the next 8 weeks (through 11/15) you can take a Cordio (core and cardio) class at the Harlem Road Community Center Gym (in Williamsville). $45 for all 8 sessions, or pay $6 per session. Bring a yoga mat (and water).

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8/28 - Wednesday

9:30AM - Karuna Yoga of Buffalo will be holding a 6 week Yoga Relax session on Wednesday mornings (through 11/2).

6PM - Try out a Hip Hop for starters class at Musicality Central (at Studio 990) - $10/class, and there are more advanced classes available if you are so inclined.

6:15PM - Oasis is kicking off their fall specialty belly dance classes with a class on veil work - learn how to incorporate silk veils into your dance practice. All levels are welcome, and you do not need to have your own silk veil. This is a four week session (Wednesdays through 10/12), and will be $45 for the four weeks.

6:30PM - Take a "mystery" hike in Amherst.

6:30PM - In order to help combat the growing prevalence of childhood obesity, Jada Blitz is using their monthly Family Affair training session to raise awareness, in partnership with Healthy Buffalo.

7PM - Every Wednesday you can take a Line Dance class with instructor Bev at Nashville's II country bar - $5.

7PM - Grab your dance partner and head to Noche de Salsa at Pucho Olivencia - beginner lesson is a 7PM, followed by social dancing. $5. 

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If you know of an event that you would like to see in here, please let me know! (message our facebook page!)

Get out there and get moving!

Fitness Class Review - SUP Yoga and Biking

Class name - SUP Yoga with bonus bike riding as a group
Where they are located - Outer Harbor, Longboards - part of their summer program
What it cost - $25
Level of difficulty - moderate - requires balance and strength

Review -

One week ago this morning, I headed out of the house rather early in the morning (for a holiday). Labor day morning was a little cool, making me think of the coming fall, so I left wearing a long sleeve Under Armor shirt, but with a change of clothes (anticipating warmer weather). It felt strange wearing long-sleeves after a summer during which sweating at 80 degrees and 80% humidity at 1AM was as commonplace as it would be in Florida.

Rushing to ensure that I got there on time, I grabbed my change of clothes, water bottle, water-proof phone case, and life jacket, and then threw my bike rack and beach-cruiser bike onto the car. And as the haze of the early morning lifted, I cruised down Route 5 along the glass-smooth lake to the Outer Harbor. By the time I got to Longboard's hut, I was already sweating and had to change into a t-shirt. The owner, Nancy, greeted me with a smile and a hug.  It was a gorgeous day to head out on the lake.

For those of you who have taken the "paddling basics" class from Longboards, you are qualified to try out their SUP fitness classes. Over the course of the past summer they had aerobic paddling, SUP yoga, bootcamp-style classes, and other offerings that Buffalo natives could avail themselves of (even collaborating with other fitness studios in the areas, and bringing the Grove Juice truck). These activities take the relatively leisurely activity of paddling on a board, and ratchet it up a bit for people who want to "feel the burn".

I had been meaning to make it out to these classes all summer, but between my busy schedule, and some untimely wind on the lake (calm water is preferable), I hadn't been able to try one yet. This particular class, taught by Joanne Wu (an accomplished yogi with multiple styles under her belt) was a SUP yoga class, with a bicycle ride after we pulled the boards into shore.

Having tried (and failed miserably at) some yoga poses the last time I was one a paddleboard, I was concerned that I would fall in - and I almost did, catching myself at the last moment. Although I had a very slim, light weight, tippy board, and although Joanna was kind enough to switch boards with me mid-class, when I talked to her after class she said that falling in isn't the worst thing that could happen - in fact, in some of her classes, she asks her students to just let go and fall. This allows you the freedom of having done it, and no longer being frightened of it, allowing you more freedom in your yoga practice. This, however, was not the case this class, and we all came away from the experience dry.

The yoga class focused on grounded and centered poses - we were not asked to do a tree pose, or a dancer, rather, we stayed stable with 2-4 limbs grounded into the board. If you were looking for a challenge, there were modifications to test your balance and stability, like going into a full bow pose or bridge, or jumping rather than stepping through transitions. However, they were far from compulsory if you felt more comfortable staying grounded into the board. I really enjoyed doing this, and it was certainly a full body workout - I feel like a little training through the winter could bring me even more success and the ability to challenge my balance and stability a little more in poses.

Once we had completed the lovely water portion of the class, we headed back to the Longboards hut to hand in our paddles and life vests, and then headed to the bike rental hut (or in my case, took the bike off the back of my car). Once everyone was geared up, we pedaled down along the lake at a relatively leisurely pace, stopping here and there to do some yoga poses that incorporated the bicycle into the practice - on the way back, we got our cardio for the day with some spin-class-style interval speed pedaling. The path itself is quite flat, well maintained, and a very easy bike ride along the lake.

This was a fantastic way to spend my day off and to send the summer off gently. I can't wait until next summer to get back on a board, and enjoy more of Longboard's classes!

What's going on - Week of 9/8-9/14

Check out Taste of Fitness at Canalside this Saturday

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

It's time to blow up this roundup, take out all of the weekly summer outdoor classes (I'm crying a little), and start looking at fall activities:

9/8 - Thursday

6PM - Revolution Buffalo will be holding a Rev+KegWorks Kettlebells and Cocktails class at the KegWorks Store. This class is FREE, but pre-registration is required!

6PM - Enjoy a hike in Chestnut Ridge Park

6:30PM - Weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, Devi Bollywood will be holding their mixed-level Bollywood Dance class at 6:30PM, and a Thursday night Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 7:45PM.

7PM - Weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - all levels welcome, $10/class.

7PM - Every week you can take a Line Dance class at Nashville's II on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7PM - only $5.

7:30PM - Every Thursday you can check out a Booty Work class at 7:30, and a Club Dance Aerobics class at 8:30 taught by instructors from Musicality Central at Future Dance Center in Hamburg. $10/class.

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9/9 - Friday

10AM - Every Friday morning is an aerial yoga class with Aerial Dance Buffalo at the ALT Theatre in Buffalo. Drop in price is $18. For more information click here. Preregistration is recommended as these classes fill fast.

6:30PM - Tryout some takedowns! Orchard Park Martial Arts will be hosting Corey Norman's Takedown seminar - no previous attendance or martial arts experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per person.

7PM - Weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - all levels welcome, $10/class.

7PM - Bring your partner and try out a Ballroom/Social Dance Workshop at Nickel City Dance and Fitness Center. This class will be every Friday night from 7-8 starting 9/9, and ending 10/28. $60 per person for the series, couples required. 

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9/10 - Saturday 

All day today is the Fitness Expo at the Buffalo Niagara Convention center - check it out if you are interested in fitness and lifting competitions!

7:30AM - Start out your Saturday mornings with a weekly PiYo class with Marcia hosted by Longboards at their Lake Erie Seaway Trail center. Book your spot here.

8:30AM - Weekly on Saturday mornings, Devi Bollywood will be holding a Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 8:30AM, and a Vinyasa Yoga class at 9:15AM.

9AM - Into archery? Wilson Conservation Club will be hosting a 3-D archery shoot (no actual animals will be harmed). Bring $5 to help with food.

9AM - Enjoy a hike through Clarence Town Park.

9:30AM - Every Saturday morning is an aerial yoga class with Aerial Dance Buffalo at the ALT Theatre in Buffalo. Drop in price is $18. For more information click here. Preregistration is recommended as these classes fill fast.

10:45AM - Garage Fitness Studio with guest Steve Procknal will be rocking out a FREE 30 minute class at the Music Is Art Festival.

11AM - Interested in carry-in, carry-out camping in the wilderness? See if you can get a last minute reservation for an overnight backpacking trip in the Allegheny Forest.

12:30PM - Try out a BLT (Butt, Legs, and Thighs) class at Universal Pediatric Dentistry in Williamsville. This class is $10; proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

1PM - From 1 until 5PM, Canalside will be hoting a Get UP and Get ACTIVE day called Taste of Fitness. This will allow you to sample ways to get active that may be non-traditional (not your typical gym workout)

2PM - Donation-based Power Yoga of Buffalo - "Karma" class.

4:30PM - Head to East Meets West Yoga for a Vinyasa Flow yoga class set to live music.

7PM - Every week you can take a Line Dance class at Nashville's II on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 7PM - only $5.

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This weekend check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! See their website for ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page

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9/11 - Sunday

9AM (and 10AM) - Join Garage Fitness Studio for a FREE Kangoo Jumps class at the Gap at McKinley Mall! (Email ahead with your shoe size to reserve boots - kids sizes are also available!)

11:45AM - Head out to Freedom Run Vineyards for a Pilates class with wine tasting to follow.

12:30PM - Interested in ballroom dance but don't have a partner? Come learn the Shim Sham with Ballroom Revolution (a swing and tap inspired line dance). No experience needed.

1:30PM - Take a hike through Akron Falls Park.

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9/12 - Monday

5:30AM - Start every week with Monday morning PiYo with Marcia and Longboards, held at the Lake Erie Seaway Trail facility (indoors). Make sure to register, because this class fills up. 

10AM - Take a saunter through the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. 

5PM - Join Martial Fusion Fitness for a 12 week fitness challenge - $150 gets you unlimited fitness classes for 12 weeks, weekly weigh-ins, nutritional guidance, and a free t-shirt. The person with the highest percentage of body weight lost gets $500!

5:15PM - Interested in taking a ladies only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class? Buffalo United Martial Arts Academy at Riverworks holds one every Monday night, and the first few classes are free! Bring a friend!

5:30PM - It's your chance to use the Great Yoga Wall, and to open, align, and strengthen your shoulders - check out this Shoulder Wall Workshop - ideal for athletes, as well as people recovering from wrist or shoulder injuries - $25. 

6PM - Summer's not done for the Kangoo team at Garage Fitness Studio! There's at least one more FREE Kangoo Bootcamp Canalside class for them, so get out there and play! Reserve boots here ahead of time. 

6:30PM - Weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, Devi Bollywood will be holding their mixed-level Bollywood Dance class at 6:30PM, and a Thursday night Bollywood/Bhangra Cardio Blast class at 7:45PM. 

6:30PM - HEAL Yoga is holding a free yoga happy hour at Market Arcade in Buffalo. This week's instructors will be Brooklyn Christopher. 

6:30PM - Acroyoga Buffalo will hold their weekly Monday Night AcroJam at Delaware Park (near the Rose Garden). 

7PM - Karuna Yoga of Buffalo will be holding a 6 week workshop to focus on exploring a moderate practice in a gentle way, moving toward your edge, just outside of your comfort zone. 

7:30PM - Shakti Yoga will hold a weekly Vinyasa by Donation yoga class. 

8PM - Learn the Foundations of Bboying at Verve Dance Studio (open level class for adults - $15 drop-in rate). 

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9/13 - Tuesday

5:30PM - Learn Basic Beginner Ballet for adults at Nickel City Dance and Fitness - the first round of weekly classes starts today (9/13), and will be $84 for the session. Sessions 2 starts on 11/1 and will be $108. Leotards are not required, however, ballet slippers are (canvas or leather - I personally prefer split sole).

6PM - Enjoy a hike through Stiglmeier Park.

6:15PM - Try PiYo Live at Second Wind Fitness - first class is free!

7PM - Every Tuesday you can take a Hatha Yoga class at the Buffalo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

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8/10 - Wednesday

6PM - Try out a Hip Hop for starters class at Musicality Central (at Studio 990) - $10/class, and there are more advanced classes available if you are so inclined.

6:15PM - Oasis is kicking off their fall specialty belly dance classes with a class on veil work - learn how to incorporate silk veils into your dance practice. All levels are welcome, and you do not need to have your own silk veil. This is a four week session (Wednesdays), and will be $45 for the four weeks.

6:30PM - Enjoy an evening hike at Erie Basin Marina in Canada with the Foothills Trail Club.

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If you know of an event that you would like to see in here, please let me know! (message our facebook page!)

Get out there and get moving!

Fitness Class Review - AcroYoga at Canalside

Some of the instructors demonstrating a pose

Class name - Acroyoga
Where they are located - Canalside on the lawn
What it cost - Free!
Level of difficulty - moderate - requires balance and strength

Review -
As August is coming to a close, I did have a chance to check out one final class at Canalside - one that I had been trying to get to pretty much all summer. For the first time, I was able to convince my significant other to come to the class with me, and we even brought his 8 year old daughter (yes, this class is suitable for all ages).

The Acroyoga class was held on the lawn near the "ice rink" (right now it's a pond). The lawn itself was a bit muddy - I did notice that several people brought blankets rather than wrecking their nice yoga mats (I didn't notice any particular damage to either of mine, but I did clean them afterwards).

There were 5 teachers there, all involved with the Acroyoga Buffalo group. Juliana Burkhart has 3 years of experience, Ben Madoff has 4 years, Liz Czapski has 3 years, Tanner Dumez has 3 years, and Emilee Phillips has over 1 year doing Acro, but many years doing and teaching yoga. Although all of these instructors came to yoga in different ways, they all come together to teach the fundamentals to groups of new Acro enthusiasts. Having this many instructors was helpful because they could offer 1:1 assistance to the participants. There were about 20 people there when we went, but at times I have heard that the class could have 50-60 people, so having a few instructors is key.

The class is formulated such that you learn one position at a time - each position is achieved through a series of transfers of weight, which the instructors demonstrate and describe in detail. They first explain what the base does - this is the person/persons that form the foundation of the movement. They then explain step-by-step how the flyer is to get into position - the flyer is the person/persons being lifted/supported by the base(s). Finally they explain how the spotter(s) should stand and support the persons in the movement - the spotter(s) ensure that everyone in the movement feels secure, and will be safe if they start to fall.

I was honestly shocked at how well I could perform as a base - as someone who people frequently describe as "small," "petite," or even "tiny," I didn't think that I would be able to afford much assistance when it comes to lifting people in the air. While it was a bit beyond the ability of the 8 year old who was there with us, it was actually quite possible for me to hold people up in certain positions due to the intelligent use of the human body. Because the points of contact are stable, strong areas, it utilizes the body in such a way that more than one muscle group is challenged, which allows you to use more than just one weak part. Some of the counter balancing is certainly easier if you are well matched in height and weight with your partner, but it is definitely possible to have the larger partner fly while the smaller partner serves as a base, depending on the position.

He made a great base! Hopefully I can drag him to more events here and there

I asked the acroyogis what advice they would give to people who are interested in trying it out - they said that the key factor in Acroyoga is communication. Communicate your comfort levels with your partner - let them know if something isn't working, if you don't think that you can do something, if you need assistance. "Everything we learn in class is by invitation, not expectation," said Juliana, one of the instructors. She added also that "[You'll be] surprised at what [you] can learn in one class!" The only way to learn it is to come to a jam and try it!

I was really excited to have my family there with me - this is a really cool activity to do with a significant other, close friends, or family. Acroyoga is a class that encourages trust between partners, and who better to practice trust with? Hopefully we can get out to a Monday night Acroyoga Jam - they're held in Delaware Park near the Rose Garden, and will be continuing until the weather gets too cold.

Family portrait :D