Exercise with Your Mother
By
Barb Batson
April, when Middle Tennessee awakens from its long winters nap,
is a good time to get up and go. So why not plan to add a new
twist to your exercise this month – exercise with your Mother.
Mother Earth, that is.
I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time
proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and
respecting her seniority. ~ Essays of E.B. White, 1977
You may already be hearing about Earth Day – April 22 is the usual date but
festivities are scheduled for the entire month, with many on the weekends so you
can share them with your children and grandchildren, making it a family affair.
If you are a gardener, getting an early start digging and preparing your beds, you
have already learned the importance of easing gradually into exercise with
Mother Earth. The muscles and joints which have been relaxing by the fire over
the winter months react with twinges in the hinges the first few times out there.
To minimize discomfort, resist the temptation to overdo, add to your gardening
exercise each time out, working up to your maximum outdoor time. Don’t forget
to warm those muscles and joints with some brisk activity and then stretch a bit
before
you
get
too
involved
with
your
gardening
session.
Check
www.arthritis.org and search ‘gardening’ for tips on how to garden with ease.
If getting down and dirty is not your thing, there are many ways
to enjoy our beautiful state as it comes alive. Just a walk in the
park or around the block can raise awareness of the beauty of
our environment and starting. Starting with a short stroll and
working up to more vigorous activity is good preparation for April happenings.
Begin any new movement activity slowly and increase gradually. Those who are
weekend movers will be happier on Monday with this plan. Know your body and
plan your activities accordingly.
If you are in good shape and an avid hiker, Brian Bowen, TN Natural Areas
Program Administrator invites you to hike the moderately difficult
Short Springs and May Natural Areas 8:30am-4pm Thursday April
16. This weekday event is a great choice for those who are not
limited to weekend outings and features one of the most beautiful
spring wildflower displays and a unique tall grass prairie within 15
miles of one another in the Tullahoma area. Transportation will be provided from
Target on Bell Road at I-24. Reservations are required and space is limited so
contact
Brian
today
615
532
0436/Brian.Bowen@state.tn.us
or
view
www.state.tn.us/environment/na/pdf/events.pdf for more information.
To help us learn how to appreciate and preserve our Mother Earth, some
communities have special events planned with activities of interest for those of all
ages. Consider attending and be ready for exercise even if a workout is not part
of the agenda – remember that there is often quite a walk from your parking spot
to the action. Be sure to take your walking aid if you need one and allow time to
sit and enjoy the sights if you begin to tire.
 The Nashville community will celebrate the Earth and learn how to better
care for it at the eighth annual Nashville Earth Day Festival, a citywide
event scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at
Centennial Park.
 Rutherthford County Earth Day April 25, 2009 will be held on the
Murfreesboro Civic Plaza, West Vine Street, Murfreesboro. 10:00 a.m.2:00 p.m., Free and open to the public. The annual event offers a wide
variety of activities for young and old. Free hot dogs, nachos and drinks
will be available. Contact: Murfreesboro Electric Department, (615) 8935514.
 Earth Day Twilight Hike Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 6 PM - 7:30 PM is the
way Williamson County’s Owls Hill is honoring Mother Earth preceded
by optional picnic dinner in the orchard and concluding with Earth Day
sunset. Cost is $10 per person. Phone 615-370-4672 for details.
Your activity does not require Earth Day in the title to give a greater appreciation
of the beauty of our world. In Sumner County you can enjoy the free Star
Gazing Party April 4, 2009 - Sunset till 10PM at Bledsoe Creek State Park. Or
you can exercise for a mile or 5k in Wilson County. April 18, 2009 - Mile-Long
Yard Sale and Excursion Train is on the Watertown schedule; contact Jim Amero
for tickets - 615-237-1777. If 5k and eating is more your speed, plan on
Dumplin' Days and Storytelling Festival beginning 9am at Fiddlers Grove.
Contact: Deb Hill, 615-453-3833 for more information.
As we mature we learn the value of exercising to live and living to exercise. If
Mother Earth could talk, she would have told you this long ago. Now that you
know, exercise the knowledge and get out there and exercise your options to
look up and enjoy the birds by day and stars by night, stoop down and smell the
flowers. You’ll be glad you can.
Barb Batson, exercise specialist, offers active adult aquatic and land exercise
classes at several Nashville facilities. She focuses on group exercise for special
populations including MS, PD, arthritis, and fibromyalgia; also offering aquatic
personal training by appointment. Barb also hosts exercise cruises for active older
adults and is making plans now for winter 2010. For more information contact
Barb at barbatson@earthlink.net or 800 500 8905.
Barb Batson
388 Brock RD
Charlotte TN 37026
March 30, 2009