​Healthiest Town has teamed up with some of the activity providers in the area to bring you a programme of beginner-friendly and low cost active group sessions in a bid to promote two of our health pillars – connect with others and move more – to help boost our wellbeing during the winter months.

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On offer are guided e-bike/bike rides, pickle ball,  Zumba, carpet bowls, yoga, guided mindfulness, and back by popular demand is Healthiest Town’s family ceilidh dance in March. We are also promoting some regular free sessions held in Aberfeldy as part of the programme – chair-based exercise to music; Stride for Life guided walks suitable for all; and the 5km Run/Talk/Run or Walk/Talk/Walk groups, which aim to encourage people to chat while they jog or walk.

 

“Winter can be a challenging time for many, but staying active and connected can make a world of difference," says Sheila Wilson, Healthiest Town’s active link worker.  “Our Winter Boost is all about giving people the opportunity to try something new in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. Activities don’t need to be intense to have an impact on your mental and physical health; they just need to be fun and accessible. We’re here to help brighten up your winter, one step at a time!"

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Healthiest Town is launching this initiative in late-January through to March. While the start of the new year is traditionally seen as a time for resolutions, Healthiest Town’s Rachel Horner says for her setting intentions a little later is much more manageable. “Part of our New Year’s Eve celebrations and the setting of resolutions comes from Roman times and the worship of Janus, a god who was associated with transitions and new beginnings – but then they hadn’t just got through Christmas! I need to rest and recuperate after all the festivities.

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"But there is a traditional Gaelic festival at the start of February, Imbolc, which was a time to give thanks for increasing light and make plans for the spring. About halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, for me this is a good time to wake up my body and mind.

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“People can be put off joining something if they think they will be the only newbie, so that is why we are offering these sessions specifically for beginners – that way we are all in the same boat. We also hope that people will find something they really enjoy doing – which is much more likely to lead to you sticking at it.”

 

There is no need to book Stride for Life, Run/Talk/Run or the chair based exercise, you can just turn up; all other sessions (including the free ones) should be booked via our Eventbrite page.