QUEENS — Just in time for spring, Forest Hills businesses are teaming up to offer a variety of free classes and workshops, including yoga and Zumba and even checkups for pets, to help residents to become healthier, organizers said.
Ten local businesses will participate in the first “Living Well in Forest Hills” initiative, which will start on April 7 and end on April 13.
“I’m excited about it,” said Leslie Brown, president of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, which came up with the idea. “We have a lot of health and wellness members and they have a lot to offer.”
Those who want to get fit and try new physical activities will have a variety of choices.
Through the initiative, TITLE Boxing Club will offer boxing and kickboxing classes, All Star Studios will invite residents for a Zumba class and Bamboomoves yoga studio will organize a meditation session. The studio will also host a lunch discussion about healthy eating and a mocktail party, during which vegetable juices will be served.
"The focus is to give people an understanding of health and how good they can feel," said Suzanne Scholten, the owner of Bamboomoves. "So many of us walk around with chronic aches and pains or illnesses that we feel just come with age and with genetics but we can choose to live healthy and I want people to understand it just a little better."
Hoping to keep pets healthy as well, Boulevard Animal Clinic will offer free checkups for animals throught the week, and the brokerage Charles Schwab, is organizing free financial workshops, including "How emotions impact financial decisions."
The Central Queens Y will also offer several free events for kids, including roll and bounce classes for kids ages 7 to 36 months and ballet and fitness fusion classes for teens and adults.
Residents will be also able to get their posture checked at Holistic Oasis, which specializes in chiropractic treatment.
For more information about free classes, go here.
