Health & Fitness

Health is defined as a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being; not merely the absence of illness or infirmity. Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the environment.

Physical activity or exercise can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate and long-term health benefits. Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life. Sport is about more than scoring goals and winning trophies. Participating in sport improves the body mentally as well as physically and it can be a great way to make friends.

Zumba

Activity Leader Name and Details: Krishnaveni Suresh, Aanchal Bhagwat & Anumita Anand

  • Krishnaveni Suresh is a student at GEMS Modern Academy. Here's what she has to say about herself:

I am a grade 12 student in gems modern academy who actively takes part in public speaking activities, social service and recreational activities like basketball and dance. I have been trained in classical dance; Bharatanatyam for 7 years and kathak for 2 years. this experience will help my team and I to successfully run our Zumba session.

  • Aanchal Bhagwat is a student at GEMS Modern Academy. Here's what she has to say about herself:

Hello Adventurers! I'm Aanchal and I enjoy meeting new people and finding ways to help them have an uplifting experience. I'm an art enthusiast, a dancer and an aspiring architect. Over the last few years, I have mentored a student from the SEN Department, have participated in Concourses- an interactive evening spent doing various activities with Children of Determination- and have participated in multiple dance performances across my school. I'm excited to meet all of you and have a memorable time as we put on our dancing shoes!

  • Anumita Anand is a student at GEMS Modern Academy. Here's what she has to say about herself:

I have been training in Bharatnatyam (Indian Classical Dance) for over 15 years now. I am accomplished, having completed my Arangetram (Graduation) earlier this year in January. I've also danced in many school events and do weekly zumba sessions for morning assembly. I have attended few zumba classes as well and have experience working with differently abled children.

Activity Details: We plan to conduct interactive and fun Zumba sessions which combat boredom by making exercise upbeat and fun while also incorporating routines which improve one's cardiovascular health. Zumba is a great workout because it combines a lot of fun elements, like music and energetic movements with exercising. We aim to create an upbeat, encouraging and energetic atmosphere in our Zumba sessions. No prior level of experience is required. Zumba is a form of dance and we will be doing just basic level dance moves with the children.

Materials Required: Comfortable clothing and running/sports shoes.

Yoga

Activity Leader Name & Details: Rupal Ratnawat. She is a professional yoga teacher. Here's what she has to say about herself.

I have been practicing Yoga since last 8 years. I have never taken this up commercially. We live in Green community DIP and I lead a small group of friends who come together for yoga in the common park area. My motto is to inspire people into Yoga as it has physical, mental and emotional benefits. Unlike some other exercises, Yoga can be practice by anyone irrespective of age, religion and physical disability.

Activity Details: Session will start with simple Breathing techniques, followed by standing stretches, ending with a short meditation. As the children will get interested in their yoga practice, different exercises in each session will be included. Home work will be given after each session. Children will reap great benefits from these classes:

  • manage the stress and anxiety in the current times

  • increase body awareness and mindfulness

  • improve strength and flexibility

  • enhance concentration and memory power

  • it will teach them discipline

Mindful Magic

Activity Leader Name & Details: Nicola Wakeling. Here's what she has to say about herself;

I'm Nicola, a British qualified teacher with a background working in SEN schools in the UK. I am also a Mindfulness Mentor with a passion for supporting good mental health. I'm mum to 2 wonderfully neurodiverse children and believe in positive language that is needs based. I'm an advocate for acceptance and compassion and believe that the environment should fit the individual and not the other way round. I support families to encourage nurturing relationships and connection and Mindful Magic sessions are just one way in which I do this.

Activity Details: This session will have 5 Mindful Magic Spells which will each provide you will a simple take away tool to boost your mental health. The spells are Move, Focus, Breathe, Create & Meditate. These techniques increase happiness, concentration, empathy and emotional literacy whilst decreasing anxiety, stress and low self esteem. They give us simple ways to connect with our inner joy.

I encourage parents to join in with the activities and use the opportunity to connect mindfully with your child(ren). See www.mindfulmagic.info for more information.

Materials Required: Paper and coloured pencils, A safe and comfortable space to lie down or sit and relax. Optional soft toy, pillow, eye mask, blanket, drink of water.

Zumba Club

Activity Leader Name & Details: Vyomika. She is in her senior year of high school. Here's what she has to say about herself.

I am a passionate dancer. I have been taking professional dance classes on free style, hip hop and breakdance since I was 9. I have taught Zumba before to kids and ladies in a summer camp in 2017. I find it fascinating as you can be creative with this dance style and get your exercise done!

Activity Details: This form of dance will focus on body movement that helps you get fit and increase your stamina, but in a nice and fun way!

Materials Required: Flexible and easy clothes

Snacks with Animal Faces

Activity Leader Name & Details: Shondra Collins. Here's what she has to say about herself;

Hi! I am currently a Psychology major at a university in Dubai. I’ve been living in the UAE for almost 10 years. I enjoy a number of hobbies including doing my makeup and painting. I thought it would be a fun idea to use food to create animals for adventurers to enjoy during their snack time!

Activity Details: I’m using this session to give the children a fun way to enjoy healthy snacks instead of the usual sweets they may eat. The children will be using fruits and other ingredients to create simple animal faces such as a bear.

Materials Required: Parents will need to have:

  • bread OR rice cakes

  • peanut better OR Nutella (in case of allergy to peanuts)

  • 1 pack of Blueberries

  • 2 Bananas

  • 1 pack of Strawberries

  • Cutting knife

  • Plate OR napkin

  • Please be aware of allergies.

Dance Club

Activity Leader Name & Details: Francine Vaz. She is a psychology student at Heriot Watt University. Here's what she has to say about herself.

I’m a Psychology student currently in my final year and I study at Heriot Watt. In high school, and most of my free time, you can find me singing and having jam sessions with my friends and family. Individually I keep myself busy doing artsy things like drawing, painting and crafts. Dancing is another hobby that has been keeping my life busy for a majority of my life.

Activity Details: This is for anyone with an enthusiasm to dance! We will be going over a couple of basic steps and each session will have a quick and easy choreography to different songs each week. Parents/ Guardians are free to join in for a fun family style dance session. P.S. A quick warm-up will be done but stretches can be done alone before the dance session.

Materials Required: An open space for the adventurers to dance in, comfortable clothes and sports shoes.

Follow-Along Exercises & Dance Fun

Activity Leader Name & Details: Urooj Siddiqui. She is a student at Heriot Watt University.

I'm currently an undergrad student pursuing psychology. I've always been into sports, dancing and participating in and organizing events all throughout high school, university and for the community as well. The session I plan to lead would be a fun mix of zumba, dance and exercises! I am suited to host the same with my 4 years of experience of being the head to the sports council of my school and being the president to the university athletics club!! My consistently taking part in Zumba and other group exercises with professional has also brought me to being fluent with such exercises!

Activity Details: The session will be a combination of basic and fun exercises combined with some dance which are easy to follow. The children can be at their pace and this can be done on the spot. The aim of the session is to inculcate some healthy moving around in times of quarantine with limited mobility. Children will feel energised and it helps improve coordination and endurance.

Materials Required: No materials required. Just some space for the child to stand/ sit and follow