Articles
Central Iowa Yoga in the Park 2026
Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy yoga in the park. Many communities offer a yoga in the park program. They arrange for a certified yoga instructor to come and teach, and you just need to show up with a yoga mat or blanket.
Back for 2026, here is a list of all the yoga in the park offerings in central Iowa that I can find.
Tips for Exercising in Cold Weather
When it is cold outside it can be harder to find the motivation to get up and get moving. However, exercising is worth it.
I recommend you get 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity aerobic activity plus two strength building workouts every week. This article will give you tips you need to keep going strong in cold weather.
Movement Snack Spotlight
If you know me, you know I love movement snacks—a small amount of movement done on its own, not as part of a larger exercise routine or other activity.
For 2026 I will spotlight a special movement snack each month. I encourage you to comment and share how each snack works for you. I will collect them in this article which I will update as the year goes on.
Strength Training: Where to Start?
The day comes when you realize, "Dang, I really should be working out!"
Now you might be asking, "Where do I start? How do I start?"
This article will give you what you need to start. After reading this and watching the videos, you can grab a few household objects and do your first workout!
Falls Prevention Awareness Week
Falls Prevention Awareness Week is a national health campaign begun by the National Council on Aging. It is observed near the first day of fall to “increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention.” This year it is September 22–26, 2025.
There is much you can do to prevent falls for yourself or a loved one. Now is a good time to review it and take action.
Strength Training for Fall Prevention, Protection, and Recovery
Strength training can reduce your risk of falling, reduce the severity of injuries from falling, and improve your recovery after falling.
Squats and Hip Hinges, the Two Best Lower Body Exercises
Squats and hip hinges are the two primary lower body exercises I teach. I do this because they are fundamental to human movement and are precisely where we want to build strength.
Think about your day. Do you need to get out of a chair? Pick up a child? Those are squats. Do you need to pick up the basket of laundry from the floor? Pick up the big bag of dog food from the bottom shelf at the store? Those are hip hinges. You need to train the squat and hip hinge patterns in order to build and maintain the strength and muscle mass that you need to live life.
How to Choose Dumbbells for the Polk County Southside Senior Center Exercise Class
I’m the instructor for the Live 2 B Healthy exercise class at the Polk County Southside Senior Center.
This article will help you determine which dumbbells equal light, medium, and heavy for you.
Tips for Exercising in Hot Weather
In the hot summer sun, it can be tempting to stay indoors and sit on the sofa. While staying indoors is part of the advice you will find in this article, sitting on the sofa is not.
It is important for your health for you to get 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity aerobic activity plus two strength building workouts every week. But we have to acknowledge that doing that in the heat and humidity can lead to, not just discomfort, but to acute health risks.
There are ways to reduce the hot weather risks and avoid the risks caused by sitting on the sofa.
Poison Ivy: A Portfolio of Seasons
Hiking or mountain biking in Iowa or the midwest is a lot more fun if you know what poison ivy looks like and can avoid it.
The trouble is that poison ivy does not always look like it does in the perfect specimen photos. Time and experience have given me a sixth sense about the plant. That is some hard earned knowledge, and I would not wish the experience of some of those poison ivy cases on anyone.
Skip the rash, and learn from these poison ivy photos!