In this issue:

• Curious Movement and Balance Class

• Movement Snack Spotlight

• National Trails Day

• Train for Vacation

• Free Articles and Videos

• Soft Trail Stroll Schedule

• About Me

I have developed the Curious Movement and Balance class to help participants gain movement confidence, expand movement possibilities, and improve balance. The class is for anyone ages 30 to 130 who can walk across a grassy space.

The class will be held in an outdoor playground environment and use standing, walking, stepping, jumping, crouching, reaching, pulling, and climbing. All class activities are optional. Do as much or as little as is right for you.

Come with curiosity and willingness to discover what you can do.

Location: Reichardt Family Natural Play Area in Water Works Park (next to the amphitheater)

Dates: May 14, 21, 28, June 4

Time: 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Cost: $45.00/series or $12.00/single class

Movement Snack Spotlight

Every month in 2026, I am spotlighting a special movement snack.

A movement snack is a movement break. Like a typical snack is a small bit of food, not a meal, a movement snack is a small amount of movement done on its own, not as part of a larger exercise routine or other activity. And I am a big fan!

The May 2026 Movement Snack Spotlight is…

Sit-to-Stand-to-Sit-to-Stand…

Whenever you are going to stand up anyway or you just feel like stretching your legs, stand up, but sit right back down again. Then stand up and sit down. Then stand up and sit down. Then stand up and go do whatever.

If the chair you are in is awkward to get out of, you can get up, walk to a different chair and sit down. Then stand up and sit down, etc.

If you are in a hurry to do whatever it is you are standing up for, you can do that first. Then come back and sit down and stand up. Then sit down and stand up, etc.

It’s fine to use your hands, if that’s what works. Just focus on mostly using your legs.

Every month, I have a new movement snack suggestion for you. You can switch to the new one, keep adding them on, or just do your favorites.

Follow me on social media. That’s where I'll be posting all this stuff. You can put your comments there. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram. Read the Movement Snack Spotlight article on my website where you will find all the monthly snacks.

Now, get moving!

National Trails Day

National Trails Day is the first Saturday of June. #NationalTrailsDay

We will celebrate at Sycamore Trails this year. Meet in the gravel parking lot on the south side of 66th Avenue, just west of the Des Moines River and east of the Johnston soccer fields. (If you are coming for the bike ride, consider parking in the lot on the east side of the river and biking over. This will help ensure enough parking for everyone.)

3.1-Mile (5K) Hike led by Roccasecca Fitness
1-Mile Walk led by Roccasecca Fitness
5–8 Mile Trail Run led by Capital Striders Turkeys
No-Drop Mountain Bike Ride led by Central Iowa Trail Association
Trash Pickup — bags provided

At 9:00 each walk/run/ride leader will briefly speak about their organization and what you can expect on the walk/run/ride.

We’ll let the bikers head out first, and then the runners. The hikers and walkers will start together, but then split on different routes.

Put this on your calendar!

Free Articles and Videos

On my website you will find free articles and vidoes on a variety of fitness topics.

Here are my most recent additions…

All my videos are available on my YouTube channel. Exercise demos, Quilters Stretches, aerobic follow-alongs, and more.

If you are looking for a simple way to become more active and enjoy the outdoors, the free Soft Trail Stroll series was created for you!

Our walks are typically 1.5 to 2.5 miles long and in the Des Moines metro. We always set a pace that accommodates everyone present. It’s a stroll! No one is left behind.

Details for each route are available by clicking the graphics below.

Optionally, if you are on Facebook, join the conversation in our Soft Trail Stroll Facebook group! This group is useful for discussing the weather forecast and meeting locations. After each stroll, it’s a good place to continue conversations and share photos.