Focus Spring 2017
Page 31
Walking has been described as the perfect exercise, and many
health experts agree that walking can help everyone live
happier, healthier lives. With this in mind the ‘Walking for
health’ scheme provides a list of walks on their website :
https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder
The site also explains how to join a walking group in your
area or find similar enthusiasts.
If you would like to try walking in the local area a monthly
series of walks based at Clare Country Park has been organised
for 2017. The programme of walks for the rest of the year is
shown below. There should be something for everyone and
you will be made most welcome.
Unless specially notified, all walks start from Clare Park Centre
at 10 am on Saturday mornings. Look out for adverts around
the Town or check the website
(
www.clarecastlecountrypark.co.uk
) for more detail.
As a Nordic Walking instructor, I am often asked “what age is
too old to take up Nordic Walking?” to which my answer is
always…… better late than never; it is always possible to
improve your health through Nordic Walking, even after a
considerable period of no exercise, either due to illness or
injury. Indeed British Nordic Walking recommends Nordic
Walking to anyone from 8 to 80+.
Nordic Walking is a motor skill, that works our brain as well
as our body. Elements of motor skills include balance, coordi-
nation, reaction time and speed. These are all aspects of fitness
that naturally decline with age from about the age of fifty.
However, much of that decline can be avoided by remaining
active. In other words, use it or lose it. For those who haven’t
been “using it” much and have woken up to the fact that they
are about to lose it, the good news is that motor skills can be
trained at ANY age and, with practice, you will notice an
improvement. This is important as it will make daily life much
easier by improving the range of movement of the joints which
means you can reach, bend and generally function better. In
short it will impact on every day things like reaching to get
things from cupboards, getting in and out of cars and even
putting your coat on! Other benefits include an improvement
in your balance, which will help prevent falls; improvement in
muscle strength, which protects joints; a decrease in blood
pressure and high cholesterol.
Two new beginners classes are starting in Clare this April.
Mary Tweed, of Nordic Walking East Anglia, will teach the
internationally recognised ten step technique programme in
Clare Park. Both classes will learn the same technique,
however, the Friday class will be aimed at those returning to
exercise and who wish to go at a more gentle pace. Classes are
fun and sociable and give walkers the opportunity to make the
most of exercising in fresh air. Mary supplies poles, so walkers
simply need to turn up wearing comfortable clothes and a good
pair of walking shoes.
If you would like to improve your health and fitness, then do
join one of the taster sessions at 10.15am either on Friday 21st
April or Monday 24th April (booking essential.)
To book, please visit
www.nordicwalkingeastanglia.co.uk
or contact Mary on 07931 580 648 or
mary@nordicwalkingeastanglia.co.uk
2017 West Suffolk Walks Programme
Nordic Walking
by Mary Tweed
Try a walk on the wild side
18 MARCH
HOUGHTON HALL (reverse)
22 APRIL
CLARE TO BURY
20 MAY
CAVENDISH: WALKING FESTIVAL
17 JUNE
MAGNA CARTA: HEDINGHAM
15 JULY
LONG LANE (reverse)
19 AUGUST
CLARE LOOP
16 SEPTEMBER STOUR VALLEY BENEFICE
21 OCTOBER CHILDREN IN NEED
18 NOVEMBER CHILTON STREET (reverse)
27 DECEMBER POST-CHRISTMAS WALK
Schedule of walks from Clare Country Park in 2017
Most walks start 10am on Saturdays